Contents
Getting Started 4
Creating a Committee 5
Candidate Committees 5
Political Action Committees 6
Petition Committees 7
Campaign Bank Account Information 9
Where to File a Statement of Organization 9
Filing a Statement of Organization 10
Amending a Statement of Organization 10
Discontinuing a Committee 11
Independent Expenditure Filers 12
Campaign Finance Transactions 14
Filing Campaign Finance Transactions 14
Cert of Limited Contributions & Expenditures 14
Reporting Detailed Transactions 15
Committee Reporting Deadlines 15
Special Election Reporting Deadlines 16
Active in an Election 17
Contributions During Legislative Session 18
Petition Committee Transaction Filing Deadlines 18
Petition Qualifies to the Ballot 19
Initial Assets 20
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines 21
Candidate and PAC 21
Initiative Petition Committees 23
Independent Expenditure Filer 25
Transaction Types and Subtypes 27
Filing Transactions 27
Transaction Requirements by Type 27
Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes 53
Transaction Association 55
Prohibited Use of Campaign Funds 56
Prohibited Personal Use 56
Exceptions to the Personal Use Prohibition 56
Professional Services Rendered by Candidate 57
Common Campaign Activities 57
Receiving Contributions Online 57
Legal Expenses 57
Personal Expenditures 58
Candidates Running as a Slate 61
Mileage 61
Reporting Credit/Debit Card Transactions 62
Fair Booths 62
Fundraising Activities / Fundraising Dinners 62
Tickets Sold through a Third Party 63
Raffles 63
Auctions 64
Fundraising Cautions 65
Non-Reportable Activities 67
Publications and Television, Radio Commentaries 67
Volunteer Activities 67
Corporate, Labor etc. Communications 67
Receptions 67
Legal and Accounting Services 68
Unreimbursed Travel Expenses 68
Vendor Discounts on Food and Beverages 68
Use of Internet Services 68
Transfer of Funds to Earn Interest 68
Return or Refund of Contributions 69
Change for a Fundraiser 69
Debates 69
ORESTAR Account Summary 70
ORESTAR Aggregates 72
ORESTAR Address Book 73
Enforcement Procedures and Civil Penalties 74
Inspection of Accounts and Retention of Records 74
Examination of / Amending Transactions 76
Complaints Regarding Transactions 77
Subpoena Authority 77
Court Proceedings to Compel Correct Statements 77
Failure to File Timely or Sufficient Transactions 77
Other Election Law Violations 78
Contributions in False Name 78
Prohibited Personal Use of Campaign Funds 78
Pay a Candidate for Professional Services 78
Other Campaign Finance Violations 79
Civil Process During Legislative Session 79
Penalty Matrix: Late Filings 80
Penalty Matrix: Insufficient Filings 82
Contested Case Procedures 83
Issuance of Proposed Penalty Notice 83
Mitigating Circumstances 84
Waiver of Penalty and Violation 85
Responding to Proposed Penalty Notice 85
Paying the Civil Penalty 85
Contest the Charges by Requesting a Hearing 85
Final Orders 85
Payment Liability for Civil Penalties 86
Instructions for Completing Forms 87
Completing the Statement of Organization 87
Forms That Must Be Filed Using Paper 95
Information Sources 96
Definitions 98
List of Forms 104
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 104
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 3
Icons
The following icons are used in this manual to emphasize information:
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Assistance
If you have any questions about the material covered in this manual or need further assistance, please contact:
Elections Division
255 Capitol St NE, Suite 126
Salem, OR 97310
orestar-support.sos@sos.oregon.gov
www.oregonvotes.gov
503 986 1518
fax 503 373 7414
1 866 673 8683
se habla español
tty 1 800 735 2900
for the hearing impaired
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 4
Getting Started
Using the Campaign Finance Manual
The 2024 Campaign Finance Manual is intended to provide committees and persons required to file
independent expenditures with information about the legal and procedural requirements of campaign finance
reporting.
ORS chapter 260, “Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses,” requires disclosure of contributions and
expenditures related to any candidate, measure, or political party active in any election including initiative,
referendum, and recall petition drives. Persons making independent expenditures related to an election may
also be required to disclose those expenditures. It also requires the electronic filing of campaign finance
transactions using ORESTAR.
This manual only covers Oregon state campaign finance law. It should not be construed as guidance or
interpretations of federal laws and regulations, or laws from local jurisdictions that may have adopted their own
campaign finance reporting requirements.
The Campaign Finance Manual and associated forms are adopted by Oregon Administrative Rule No. 165-
012-0005.
See page 96, Information Sources, for contact information on other regulatory organizations.
Using the ORESTAR User’s Manuals and Video Tutorials
The system developed by the Secretary of State to disclose campaign finance activity is called the Oregon
Elections System for Tracking and Reporting (ORESTAR). ORESTAR is used to file campaign finance transactions
electronically.
Each committee and independent expenditure filer with reporting obligations should have an account in
ORESTAR. Only the candidate, treasurer, and other authorized users designated by the candidate or treasurer of
a committee, and the individual designated as the independent expenditure filer have access to the account.
Two manuals and several video tutorials have been developed to help a user navigate through ORESTAR
committee registration and campaign finance reporting:
→ The ORESTAR User’s Manual: Statement of Organization explains how to electronically file a Statement of
Organization.
→ The ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing explains how to electronically file campaign finance
transactions.
These manuals are available at www.oregonvotes.gov
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 5
Creating a Committee
Candidate Committees
“Candidate” includes any of the following:
→ an individual whose name is printed on a ballot, for whom a declaration of candidacy, nominating
petition, or certificate of nomination to public office has been filed, or whose name is expected to be or
has been presented, with the individual’s consent, for nomination or election to public office;
→ an individual who has solicited or received and accepted a contribution, made an expenditure, or given
consent to an individual, organization, political party or political committee to solicit or receive and accept
a contribution or make an expenditure on the individual’s behalf to secure nomination or election to any
public office at any time, whether or not the office for which the individual will seek nomination or
election is known when the solicitation is made, the contribution is received and retained, or the
expenditure is made, and whether or not the name of the individual is printed on a ballot;
or
→ a public office holder against whom a recall petition has been completed and filed.
A candidate for federal office or the office of precinct committeeperson does not file a Statement of
Organization or file contribution and expenditure transactions with the Elections Division.
Each candidate must establish a campaign account and file a Statement of Organization designating a candidate
committee unless the candidate meets the exception described below.
When to Create a Candidate Committee
A candidate must file a Statement of Organization not later than three business days after first receiving a
contribution or making an expenditure or not later than the deadline for filing a nominating petition, declaration
of candidacy, or certificate of nomination, whichever occurs first.
Exception to Creating a Candidate Committee
A candidate is not required to form a candidate committee if the candidate meets all three of the following
conditions:
→ The candidate serves as the candidate’s own treasurer;
→ The candidate does not have an existing candidate committee;
and
→ The candidate does not expect to receive or spend more than $750 during a calendar year.
A candidate that has an existing candidate committee but meets the other two conditions may
discontinue the candidate committee and close the bank account in order to meet the statutory
exception.
The $750 includes personal funds spent for any campaign-related costs, such as the candidacy filing fee;
however, state or county voters’ pamphlet filing fees and de minimis costs associated with printing and
circulating a petition in lieu of paying a fee for inclusion in a voters’ pamphlet, are not included when calculating
contribution or expenditure totals. In general, the use of pens, paper, clipboards, and printer ink from existing
household supplies qualifies as de minimis costs if the total combined value of using the items is less than $50.
Items purchased specifically for the petition circulation effort do not qualify as de minimis costs.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 6
If at any time during a calendar year the candidate exceeds $750 in either contributions or expenditures, the
candidate must establish a campaign account and file a candidate committee not later than three business days
after exceeding the $750 threshold. Further, the candidate must also either file all transactions or a Certificate of
Limited Contributions and Expenditures (if eligible) within 7 calendar days after aggregate contributions or
aggregate expenditures exceed $750 during a calendar year. If the committee does not file a Certificate, all
transactions are due on the same date as the transaction that caused the committee to exceed the $750
threshold.
Responsibilities and Liability
The candidate may serve as the committee’s treasurer or appoint a separate treasurer. The treasurer of a
candidate committee must be an Oregon elector.
The candidate and/or treasurer of a candidate committee is legally responsible for:
→ establishing and maintaining a dedicated campaign account in an Oregon financial institution for
depositing contributions and making expenditures;
→ signing and filing a Statement of Organization;
→ attesting to and filing transactions;
→ keeping detailed financial records current to within seven business days after the date of receiving a
contribution or making an expenditure;
and
→ preserving records as described in “Retention of Records.”
The candidate is personally liable if the appointed treasurer fails to perform any of the required duties.
Political Action Committees
A political action committee is a combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual,
that receives a contribution or makes an expenditure for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate,
measure, or political party. Each political action committee must establish a campaign account at an Oregon
financial institution and file a Statement of Organization.
When to Create a Political Action Committee
The treasurer of a political action committee must file a Statement of Organization not later than three business
days after first receiving a contribution or making an expenditure.
Exceptions to Creating a Political Action Committee
→ a person who solicits and receives contributions designated to an identified candidate or political
committee which are forwarded to a committee within seven business days of receipt;
→ a person who makes a contribution to a candidate or committee that is required to disclose the receipt of
the contribution or has filed a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures;
or
→ a group or organization formed to support or oppose a petition that is not certified to the ballot because
it has not qualified as a measure or the governing body has not filed the Notice of Measure Election with
the local filing officer.
However, a group or organization that intends to support or oppose a measure or petition is required to file as a
political action committee when the petition is certified as a measure. If a group or organization is soliciting
contributions and making expenditures prior to forming a political action committee, it must keep track of all
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 7
activity so that it can report all initial assets when the committee is filed. See “Initial Assets” on page 20 for
more information.
Responsibilities and Liability
The treasurer of a political action committee must be an Oregon elector.
The treasurer of a political action committee is legally responsible for all of the following:
→ establishing and maintaining a dedicated campaign account in an Oregon financial institution for
depositing contributions and making expenditures;
→ signing and filing a Statement of Organization;
→ attesting to and filing transactions;
→ keeping detailed financial records current to within seven business days after the date of receiving a
contribution or making an expenditure;
and
→ preserving records as described in “Retention of Records.”
The treasurer of a political action committee is personally responsible for carrying out their duties and is
personally liable should they fail to perform any required duties. The treasurer of record (i.e., the treasurer
listed on the Statement of Organization at the time a transaction is due) is legally responsible for these duties
until an amended Statement of Organization is filed appointing a new treasurer.
A political action committee may also have a Civil Penalty Designee that assumes liability for any penalty
imposed for late or insufficient transactions. A Civil Penalty Designee must be named on the Statement of
Organization and agree to be legally responsible for any penalty imposed for late or insufficient transactions by
signing the Statement of Organization. The Civil Penalty Designee of record (i.e. the Civil Penalty Designee listed
on the Statement of Organization at the time a transaction is due) must be an Oregon elector and is legally
responsible for paying civil penalties until an amended Statement of Organization is filed removing the Civil
Penalty Designee or appointing a new one.
Petition Committees
A petition committee is a committee formed by the chief petitioners of an initiative, referendum, or recall
petition. A petition committee must be designated to support only one initiative, referendum, or recall petition.
The appointed treasurer of the petition committee must file a Statement of Organization and establish a
campaign account at an Oregon financial institution.
Cover and signature sheets will not be approved for circulation until a petition committee is established.
When to Create a Petition Committee
The treasurer of an initiative, referendum, or recall petition committee must file a Statement of Organization
not later than three business days after first receiving a contribution or making an expenditure after filing a
prospective petition with the appropriate filing officer or not later than the date the petition is approved for
circulation, whichever occurs first.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 8
Exceptions to Creating a Petition Committee
→ the chief petitioner(s) of a district formation;
→ The chief petitioner(s) of a disincorporation;
or
→ the chief sponsor of a minor political party formation.
If the initiative, referendum, recall, district formation, disincorporation petition or minor political party
subsequently qualifies, and the chief petitioner(s) intend to support the measure, minor political party or
recall, the chief petitioner(s) must form a political action committee and file campaign finance activity.
Responsibilities and Liability
The treasurer of a petition committee must be an Oregon elector.
The treasurer of a petition committee is legally responsible for all of the following:
→ establishing and maintaining a dedicated campaign account in an Oregon financial institution for
depositing contributions and making expenditures;
→ signing and filing a Statement of Organization;
→ attesting to and filing transactions;
→ keeping detailed financial records current to within seven business days after the date of receiving a
contribution or making an expenditure;
and
→ preserving records as described in “Retention of Records.”
The treasurer of a petition committee is personally responsible for carrying out their duties and is personally
liable should they fail to perform any required duties. The treasurer of record (i.e., the treasurer listed on the
Statement of Organization at the time a transaction is due) is legally responsible for these duties until an
amended Statement of Organization is filed appointing a new treasurer.
A petition committee may also have a Civil Penalty Designee that assumes liability for any penalty imposed for
late or insufficient transactions. A Civil Penalty Designee must be named on the Statement of Organization and
agree to be legally responsible for any penalty imposed for late or insufficient transaction by signing the
Statement of Organization. The Civil Penalty Designee of record (i.e. the Civil Penalty Designee listed on the
Statement of Organization at the time a transaction is due) must be an Oregon Elector and is legally responsible
for paying civil penalties until an amended Statement of Organization is filed removing the Civil Penalty Designee
or appointing a new one.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 9
Campaign Bank Account Information
All committees are required to establish a dedicated campaign bank account. This applies to an original filing
and any amended filing changing the treasurer or adding a new signer on the account.
If the committee is filing an original Statement of Organization and the campaign account has not been
established at the designated financial institution, the campaign account must be established within five
business days of the filing. If the name of the financial institution changes, the committee must file an amended
Statement of Organization within five business days of the original filing to disclose the updated campaign
account information. Campaign account information provided is exempt from public disclosure.
The following rules apply to setting up and maintaining the campaign account:
→ The account must be established in a financial institution located in Oregon.
→ The account must be maintained in the name of the committee.
→ For a candidate committee, the account holder must include the candidate or the name of the candidate
committee. For a political action or petition committee, the account holder must include the treasurer or
the name of the committee or the affiliated organization that administers the account. Other individuals
may also be listed as account holders, as long as they also have signature authority.
→ All expenditures made by the committee must be drawn from the campaign account and issued on a
check or paid using a debit card or other form of electronic transmission. The treasurer, and candidate, if
applicable, must be signers on the campaign account.
→ Each contribution must be deposited into the campaign account not later than seven business days after
the date the contribution is received.
→ The campaign account must not include any moneys other than contributions or other receipts received
by the committee.
Petty cash funds are not permitted.
Where to File a Statement of Organization
All Statements of Organization and campaign finance transactions must be filed with the Elections Division.
A local jurisdiction (e.g., a city or county) may adopt ordinances that require a committee to also file campaign
finance information with the local jurisdiction.
Electronic signatures on Statements of Organization, Certificates of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures, and transactions filed using ORESTAR are executed by attaching the filer’s username. Do
not share your username or password. Do not log in using the username or password of another
individual. The attestation and signature(s) on a Statement of Organization or on a Certificate of Limited
Contributions and Expenditures filed using the paper forms will be converted to electronic documents and
are the official record.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 10
Filing a Statement of Organization
A committee may file the Statement of Organization electronically using ORESTAR or by completing the
appropriate paper form and submitting it to the Elections Division by:
→ scanning and emailing the forms to orestar-support.so[email protected]
→ mailing or hand delivering to Public Service Building, 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 126, Salem, OR 97310.
or
→ faxing to (503) 373-7414
Refer to the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Statement of Organization to file the Statement of Organization
electronically.
A political action committee or petition committee that has a Civil Penalty Designee cannot currently file a
Statement of Organization electronically and must file by completing the paper form.
All forms and instructions may be downloaded from the Elections Division’s website: www.oregonvotes.gov.
See “Instructions for Completing Forms” on pages 87
If filing the Statement of Organization by completing the paper form one of the following three forms must be
submitted:
→ Candidate Committee: Form SEL 220: Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee;
→ Political Action Committee: Form SEL 221: Statement of Organization for Political Action Committee;
or
→ Petition Committee: Form SEL 222: Statement of Organization for Petition Committee.
Amending Statement of Organization Information
If any of the information on the Statement of Organization changes, the change must be reported not later than
the 10
th
calendar day after the change of information occurs. The amendment can be filed electronically using
ORESTAR or by completing the appropriate paper form. A change in information on a Statement of Organization
includes a change to any field of information on the filing. This includes changes in election activity to indicate
that the committee is active in an election.
If a candidate is nominated at the primary election they must file an amended Statement of
Organization to indicate that they will be active at the general election.
If an existing political action committee is supporting or opposing a measure they must file an amended
Statement of Organization to indicate that they will be active at the election.
When filing an amendment using the paper form, complete the entire form, not just the updated information.
The amended form must be signed by the treasurer, candidate, and civil penalty designee, if applicable, and will
supersede all previous filings.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 11
Discontinuing a Committee
A committee may discontinue when it:
→ no longer intends to receive contributions or make expenditures;
→ has achieved a zero balance;
→ has no outstanding debts or obligations;
and
→ the campaign bank account has been closed.
A petition committee may not discontinue unless the petition has been withdrawn, the deadline to
submit signatures for verification has passed, or the petition has been certified as a measure, whichever is
earlier.
Any committee that has filed a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures for every calendar year
since its original Statement of Organization was filed is not required to file contribution and expenditure
transactions to discontinue, but it must achieve a zero balance and have no outstanding debts or obligations.
A committee with outstanding debts can achieve a zero balance by repaying or forgiving all debts (outstanding
loans, personal expenditures, and accounts payable).
Warning: committee funds and assets must not be converted to personal use by any person.
Any remaining funds in the committee’s campaign account may be:
→ used to defray any expenses incurred in connection with the candidate’s duties as a public office holder;
→ contributed to another committee;
→ contributed to any organization described in section 170(c) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code or to
any charitable organization defined in ORS 128.620;
or
→ used for any other lawful purpose.
A user retains access to the committee’s Private Workshop in ORESTAR for one year after the committee’s
discontinuation date.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 12
Independent Expenditure Filers
An independent expenditure is an expenditure or account payable that is not made with the cooperation or
prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, agent, authorized
committee of the candidate, any political committee, or agent of a political committee supporting or opposing a
measure. A person must register as an independent expenditure filer if any of the following are true:
A. a person makes independent expenditures of more than $250 in a calendar year for a communication to
support or oppose any candidate or measure;
B. a person makes independent expenditures of $250 or more for a communication that refers to a clearly
identified candidate or measure that will appear on the ballot and the communication is published and
disseminated to the relevant electorate within 60 calendar days before the primary election, 120
calendar days before the general election, or 90 calendar days before any other election; or
C. a person makes independent expenditures more than $250 for a communication that refers to a political
party and the communication is published and disseminated to the relevant electorate within 60
calendar days before the primary election, 120 calendar days before the general election, or 90 calendar
days before any other election.
Independent expenditure filers must register and disclose the independent expenditures using ORESTAR. The
$250 includes all political expenditures, not just expenditures for a single candidate, measure, or political party.
The Filer is not a political action committee.
Standards for Category A - Advocacy for “Support” or “Opposition”
The following information applies if a person makes independent expenditures of more than $250 for a
communication to support or oppose any candidate or measure (see A above):
→ the communication clearly identifies the candidate or measure;
→ when taken as a whole and with limited reference to external events, such as the proximity to the
election, the communication could only be interpreted by a reasonable person as containing advocacy for
the election or defeat of the candidate, passage or defeat of the measure;
and
→ the communication is unmistakable, unambiguous and suggestive of only one meaning.
The above standards do not apply to communications referenced under B and C above.
An independent expenditure is not:
→ a contribution made directly to a committee and reported by the committee
or
→ an expenditure reported as an in-kind contribution by a committee.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 13
Exceptions to Category B and C – Nonpartisan Communications
A nonpartisan communication does not constitute an independent expenditure in the following situations:
→ publication of a nonpartisan voters’ guide that is:
o permitted to be published by a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), entity or
o includes or offers all major political party candidates for the state office referenced a reasonable
opportunity to be included;
→ a commercial communication that depicts a candidate’s name, image, likeness, or voice only in the
candidate’s capacity as owner, operator, or employee of a business that existed prior to the candidate’s
declaration of candidacy;
→ official publications produced or distributed by public employees while on the job during working hours;
or
→ a communication by a labor union, membership organization, or corporation only to its members,
stockholders or executive or administrative personnel.
Independent Expenditure Filer Registration Information
A person making independent expenditures may register prior to exceeding the threshold and enter the
transactions in the person’s Private Workshop so ORESTAR can calculate expenditure totals to determine when
the $250 threshold has been exceeded. When the threshold is exceeded, an email will be sent notifying the
person that the $250 threshold has been exceeded and that the expenditures must be filed not later than seven
calendar days after exceeding the $250 threshold.
Any additional expenditures made after exceeding the threshold are required to be filed not later than the
applicable deadline: either seven or 30 calendar days after the date of the expenditure, depending on the
proximity to the election. Independent expenditure filers are subject to the 7-day reporting deadlines for every
election. See Schedule of Transaction Deadlines for Independent Expenditure Filers on pages 25 - 26.
Contact the Elections Division if you have questions regarding whether a particular expenditure is an
independent expenditure.
Independent Expenditure Filer Responsibilities
An independent expenditure filer is not required to be an Oregon elector. The Filer of Independent Expenditures
is legally responsible for attesting to and filing transactions. The individual designated as the Independent
expenditure filer can never be amended, nor can they designate an alternate transaction filer.
Liability
The individual designated as the independent expenditure filer is personally liable for any penalties assessed for
late and insufficient filings.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 14
Campaign Finance Transactions
This section outlines the deadlines and requirements for filing contribution and expenditure transactions.
Oregon election law requires complete, accurate, and timely disclosure of contributions and expenditures by
committees and independent expenditure filers.
Reporting deadlines are set by statute and penalties may be imposed for late or insufficient transaction
reporting. After a transaction is saved in ORESTAR, you must also validate and file the transaction. Refer to the
ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for instructions on filing transactions using ORESTAR.
Filing Campaign Finance Transactions
A committee must maintain detailed records of all contributions and expenditures. If a committee expects to
receive a total of more than $3,500 or spend a total of more than $3,500 for a calendar year, the committee
must file all transactions electronically using ORESTAR.
If a committee does not expect to receive a total of more than $3,500 or spend a total of more than $3,500 in a
calendar year, the committee may file a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures. The committee
may file a Certificate electronically using ORESTAR or may file the paper form PC 7.
If a committee has already filed transactions electronically in the calendar year, a Certificate cannot be
filed for that year; a Certificate must be filed prior to filing any transactions in ORESTAR. If a committee
has entered but not filed transactions for the calendar year, the unfiled transactions may be deleted in
order to file a Certificate.
A committee must file either detailed transactions or a Certificate, whichever is applicable. An
independent expenditure filer is not eligible to file a Certificate and must file all expenditures after
exceeding the $250 threshold. Civil penalties may be imposed for failing to file a transaction or Certificate
by the deadline.
Filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures
A committee must be established in order to file a Certificate. A committee that has filed a Certificate is
encouraged to enter its transactions into the committee’s Private Workshop in ORESTAR so the system can
calculate transaction totals to determine when it has exceeded the $3,500 threshold. If the threshold is
exceeded, an email will be sent notifying the committee that the Certificate threshold has been exceeded (i.e.,
that the Certificate has expired) and that all transactions that have occurred in that calendar year must be filed
not later than seven calendar days after exceeding the threshold. It is important for the transactions to be
entered in date order so ORESTAR can correctly calculate the date the threshold is exceeded and notify the
committee appropriately.
When to File a Certificate
A Certificate must be filed not later than seven calendar days after receiving the first contribution or making the
first expenditure in a calendar year. If a committee has already filed transactions in ORESTAR in the calendar
year, a Certificate cannot be filed for that year.
A certificate must be filed each calendar year if the committee believes they are eligible and chooses not to file
detailed transactions. If a committee filed a certificate for the previous calendar year and does not believe they
will maintain eligibility the following year, they should contact the Elections Division to update their balance as
of December 31 of the previous year.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 15
What if a Committee Exceeds the $3,500 Certificate Threshold?
A committee must continuously maintain detailed records of all contributions received and expenditures made
even if it files a Certificate. If at any time during the calendar year either the total contributions or total
expenditures exceed $3,500, the committee must file all transactions electronically using ORESTAR. The
deadline for filing all transactions occurring during that calendar year is seven calendar days after the date of the
transaction that causes the committee to exceed the threshold.
Reporting Detailed Transactions
For each transaction, detailed information about the contributor or payee must be disclosed to the public if the
aggregate (total amount received from the same contributor or paid to the same payee) has exceeded $100 in a
calendar year.
The aggregate for a contributor includes transaction subtypes cash contribution, in-kind contribution, and non-
exempt loan. The aggregate for a payee includes transaction subtypes account payable, cash expenditure, non-
exempt loan payment, and personal expenditure for reimbursement. If the aggregate is not exceeded, the
transaction is disclosed to the public as a miscellaneous transaction but no information about the contributor or
payee is disclosed.
Committee Reporting Deadlines
The statutes designate specific deadlines for submitting transactions based on the date of an election and the
date of the transaction; penalties may be imposed for late or insufficient reporting. If a committee is not eligible
to file a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures, all transactions must be reported on a continuous
basis, with each transaction having its own filing deadline. Continuous reporting also applies to independent
expenditure filers.
ORESTAR automatically calculates transaction due dates based on the transaction dates entered by the
committee. A transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the day of the deadline to file the transaction. If
the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the next
business day. Generally, a transaction is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction,
but there are some circumstances when a transaction is due not later than seven calendar days after the date of
the transaction.
For committees active in an election, transactions that occur between the 42
nd
day before the election and
Election Day are due not later than seven calendar days after the date of the transaction. A transaction that
occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before the election, is due
not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the election,
whichever date occurs first.
Refer to Schedule of Transaction Deadlines on pages 21 - 25 for Candidate, Political Action Committees and
Petition Committees.
Additionally, there are specific reporting deadlines for contributions received during a legislative session, for
recall and referendum petition committee transactions and for a committee that reports initial assets; see pages
18 - 20 for an explanation of those deadlines.
Independent Expenditure Filer Reporting Deadlines
An independent expenditure filer is required to file all expenditures made on or after January 1 of a calendar
year electronically using ORESTAR not later than seven calendar days after exceeding the $250 expenditure
threshold. Any additional expenditure that is made after exceeding the threshold is also required to be filed.
Independent expenditure filers are subject to the 7-day reporting deadlines for every election. See pages 25 - 26
for independent expenditure filer transaction deadlines.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 16
Special Election Reporting Deadlines
If a special election is held on an election date not regularly scheduled, any political action committee or
independent expenditure filer active at the special election is subject to reporting deadlines for the special
election. Except as otherwise provided in the 2024 and 2025 Schedule of Transaction Deadlines on pages 21 -
25, transactions related to any special election shall be filed according to the deadlines set forth below.
→ a transaction that occurs on or before the 73
rd
day before the date of the special election is required to
be filed not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction;
→ a transaction that occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the date of the special election and has not been
filed by the 43
rd
day before the special election is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of
the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the special election, whichever date occurs first; and
→ a transaction that occurs on the 42
nd
day through the date of the special election is required to be filed
not later than 7 calendar days after the date of the transaction.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 17
Active in an Election
Being active in an election means that the political committee or independent expenditure filer is subject to
shorter transaction filing windows leading up to the election. Transactions that occur between the 42
nd
day
before the election and Election Day are due no later than seven calendar days after the date of the transaction.
Transactions that occur prior to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before
the election is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the
election, whichever date occurs first.
All candidate and political action committees are presumed to be active at each primary and general election
and will be subject to shorter transaction filing windows unless they are eligible to inactivate themselves for the
election and affirmatively take steps to do so by opting out of seven-day reporting.
A candidate committee or political action committee is active in an election and cannot inactive themselves and
opt-out of seven-day reporting when it solicits contributions or makes expenditures to support or oppose a
candidate or measure at the election or files a Statement of Organization designating activity at the election.
This includes a candidate committee even if the candidate’s name is not printed on the ballot.
Additionally, if a candidate or measure committee reports the receipt of a contribution from another committee
and the recipient candidate or measure committee’s current Statement of Organization indicates activity at an
election, the contributing committee is considered active at the election.
Further, candidate committees and political action committees are active if they engage in any of the following
activity:
→ makes an expenditure to a measure committee and the recipient measure committee’s current
Statement of Organization indicates that it is supporting or opposing a measure;
→ makes an expenditure to a candidate committee and the recipient candidate committee’s current
Statement of Organization designates activity at the election;
→ makes an expenditure that is identified as an in-kind contribution benefiting a candidate or measure
committee, and the candidate or measure committee’s current Statement of Organization designates
activity at the election;
or
→ makes an expenditure and identifies it as an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a candidate
or measure active at the election.
A candidate who is automatically nominated to the general election is not eligible to opt out of seven-day
reporting for the primary election.
A petition committee is subject to seven-day reporting for primary and general elections and cannot opt-
out. An independent expenditure filer is subject to seven-day reporting for every election and cannot opt-
out of any election.
A committee that determines they are active in a special election and is not otherwise activated by
ORESTAR based on the criteria above must contact the Elections Division to activate themselves for the
election.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 18
How does a committee inactivate themselves and opt-out of seven-day
reporting at the primary or general election?
The committee must access the Election Activity Log in the committee’s Private Workshop in ORESTAR and
indicate the committee is not active. See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Statement of Organization for
instructions on inactivating a committee for an election.
Reporting Contributions Received During Legislative Session
Oregon election law does not prohibit receiving contributions during a legislative session, but there is a separate
and distinct deadline to file any contribution (cash, in-kind, or non-exempt loan of any amount), received from
January 1 to adjournment of an annual legislative session or during a special legislative session, by:
→ a legislative official, or a candidate for a legislative office at a future election;
→ a statewide official, a statewide official-elect, or a candidate for a statewide office at a future election;
→ the Governor, Governor-elect, and any candidate for Governor at a future election;
or
→ a controlled committee (controlled by an individual subject to legislative reporting), or a legislative caucus
committee.
“Statewide official” includes Secretary of State or Secretary of State-elect, State Treasurer or State
Treasurer-elect, Attorney General or Attorney General-elect, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of
Labor and Industries or the Commissioner-elect of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Contributions that are returned to the contributor within two business days, without being deposited into the
campaign account, are not required to be reported.
Legislative Session Reporting Deadlines
Contributions received from January 1 to adjournment (Sine Die) during an annual session, and during any
special session of the Legislative Assembly must be filed not later than the reporting deadlines set forth below.
Annual Legislative Session
Contributions received January 1 through the day before the annual legislative session begins are due not
later than 11:59:00 pm of the second business day after the first day of the session. Contributions
received on or after the first day of session are due not later than the second business day following the
date the contribution is received.
Special Legislative Session
Contributions received during any special session of the Legislative Assembly are due no later than
11:59:00 pm of the second business day following the date the contribution is received.
For the Governor, Governor-elect, or any candidate for Governor at a future election, the two-day
reporting schedule does not end at Sine Die; two-day reporting continues until 30 business days after
adjournment of an annual legislative session. This extension does not apply to a special legislative session.
Petition Committee Transaction Filing Deadlines
This section describes the transaction filing deadlines for initiative, recall, and referendum petition committees
and Statement of Organization filing requirements if the petition qualifies to the ballot. A petition committee
may file a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures if it does not expect to receive or spend more
than $3,500 in a calendar year.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 19
Initiative Petition Committee Transaction Filing Deadlines
Generally, a transaction is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction. However, in an
even-numbered year, a transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm seven calendar days after the date of the
transaction during three specific time frames:
→ the 42nd day before the date of the primary election and ending on the date of the primary election;
→ the 42nd day before the date that is four months prior to the general election and ending on the date four
months before the general election;
→ the 42nd day before the date of the general election and ending on the date of the general election.
A transaction that occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the date that is four months before the general election
and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before the date that is four months before the general election, is due not
later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the date that is four
months before the general election, whichever date occurs first.
A transaction that occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before
the election, is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the
election, whichever date occurs first.
See the “Schedule of Transaction Deadlines” for Initiative Petition Committees on pages 23 - 24
Recall Petition Committee Transaction Filing Deadlines
For a recall petition committee, a transaction is due not later than seven calendar days after the date of the
transaction beginning on the date the completed prospective petition is filed with the filing officer and ending
on the deadline for submitting signatures for verification.
Beginning on the day after the deadline for submitting signatures, a transaction is due not later than 30 calendar
days after the date of the transaction. All transactions must be filed electronically and are due no later than
11:59:00 pm on the deadline for filing the transaction.
Referendum Petition Committee Transaction Filing Deadlines
For a referendum petition committee, a transaction is due not later than seven calendar days after the date of
the transaction beginning on the date the petition committee timely files its Statement of Organization with the
Elections Division and ending on the deadline for submitting signatures for verification.
Beginning on the day after the deadline for submitting signatures, a transaction is due not later than 30 calendar
days after its occurrence. All transactions must be filed electronically and are due not later than 11:59:00 pm on
the deadline for filing the transaction.
Filing Requirements if a Petition Qualifies to the Ballot
If the filing officer determines that a sufficient number of signatures have been submitted to qualify the petition
to the ballot, and the petitioner intends to be active at the election, a political action committee must be formed
not later than three business days after receiving a contribution or making an expenditure. If the petitioners are
soliciting contributions and making expenditures using an existing miscellaneous or measure political action
committee, the treasurer of the committee must amend the Statement of Organization not later than ten
calendar days after the measure is certified to the ballot to indicate they will be active at the election.
To determine transaction filing deadlines if an initiative or referendum petition qualifies to the ballot, refer to
the appropriate election date in the Schedule of Transaction Deadlines on pages 21 - 25.
If a recall committee is formed to support or oppose a candidate subject to the recall, transactions are due not
later than the 7 calendar days after the date of the transaction through the date of the recall election.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 20
Initial Assets
A committee is considered to have “initial assets” if it has money on hand at the time it files its original
Statement of Organization. Generally, an individual, a combination of individuals, or a person other than an
individual, may not receive a contribution or make an expenditure for the purpose of supporting or opposing a
candidate, petition, or measure until filing a Statement of Organization. Therefore, a newly-formed committee
will ordinarily have no initial assets.
When reporting eligible transactions in ORESTAR, committees should include “Initial Assets” in the
transaction description to ensure the transaction is not incorrectly identified as late.
However, some groups are not prohibited from receiving contributions or making expenditures before filing an
original Statement of Organization. Such groups must keep records of all transactions occurring prior to the filing
of the Statement of Organization and either be prepared to file those transactions or if eligible, file a Certificate
of Limited Contributions and Expenditures. Initial asset transactions include all transaction types including any
accounts payable that are still outstanding at the time the Statement of Organization is filed.
The deadline to file initial asset transactions is the same as the deadline to file the transaction that
triggers the establishment of a Statement of Organization. Refer to the appropriate Schedule of
Transaction Filing Deadlines or contact the Elections Division to determine the deadline for filing initial
asset transactions.
The following four groups may receive contributions or make expenditures (initial asset transactions) prior to
filing a Statement of Organization, however any transactions that occur prior to the Statement of Organization
being filed must be filed in ORESTAR if the committee is required to be established:
1 A chief petitioner of an initiative, referendum, or recall petition that has not filed the prospective petition.
The treasurer must file the Statement of Organization to create a petition committee not later than three
business days after receiving the first contribution or making the first expenditure after the prospective
petition is filed or no later than the date the petition is approved for circulation, whichever occurs first.
2 Persons other than a chief petitioner, supporting or opposing a petition. If the petition qualifies as a
measure and is certified to the ballot, the treasurer must file a Statement of Organization not later than
three business days after receiving the first contribution or making the first expenditure after the petition
was certified to the ballot.
3 Persons supporting or opposing a measure that has been referred by a governing body, but the notice of
measure election has not been filed with the county or a recall petition that has not qualified to the
ballot. The treasurer must file the Statement of Organization not later than three business days after
receiving the first contribution or making the first expenditure after the measure or recall is certified to
the ballot.
4 Chief petitioners of a minor political party that has not been qualified. The treasurer must file the
Statement of Organization not later than three business days after receiving the first contribution or
making the first expenditure after the minor political party has qualified.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 21
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Candidate and Political Action Committees for 2024 Elections
March 12 Election
May 21 Primary Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
on or before
January 7
30th day after date of
transaction
on or before
March 17
30th day after date of
transaction
January 8 to
January 29
February 6
March 18 to
April 8
April 16
January 30 to
March 12
7th day after date of
transaction
April 9 to
May 21
7th day after date of
transaction
August 27 Election
November 5 General Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
on or before
June 23
30th day after date of
transaction
on or before
September 1
30th day after date of
transaction
June 24 to
July 15
July 23
September 2 to
September 23
October 1
July 16 to
August 27
7th day after date of
transaction
September 24 to
November 5
7th day after date of
transaction
→ All dates are 2024 unless otherwise noted. Due dates for an individual election apply when the committee is
active in that election.
→ Generally, a transaction is due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction.
→ For committees active in an election, transactions that occur between the 42
nd
day before the election and
Election Day are due no later than seven calendar days after the date of the transaction. A transaction that
occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before the election is
due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the election,
whichever date occurs first.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is due. If the
deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the next
business day.
See page 5 for information on calculating the deadline for filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures or detailed transactions if a candidate is exempt from filing a candidate committee but then
exceeds the $750 threshold of campaign finance activity.
See “Filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures” on page 14 for information on
calculating the deadline for filing transactions if a committee has exceeded the $3,500 threshold after
filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures for a calendar year.
See page 18 for the deadlines to report contributions received during a legislative session, and who is
subject to those deadlines.
All committees are considered active at the Primary and General Elections. See pages 17 to determine if a
committee is eligible to opt out of seven-day reporting for those elections.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 22
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Candidate and Political Action Committees for 2025 Elections
March 11 Election
May 20 Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
on or before
January 5
30th day after date of
transaction
on or before
March 16
30th day after date of
transaction
January 6 to
January 27
February 4
March 17 to
April 7
April 15
January 28 to
March 11
7th day after date of
transaction
April 8 to
May 20
7th day after date of
transaction
August 26 Election
November 4 Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
on or before
June 22
30th day after date of
transaction
on or before
August 31
30th day after date of
transaction
June 23 to
July 14
July 22
September 1 to
September 22
September 30
July 15 to
August 26
7th day after date of
transaction
September 23 to
November 4
7th day after date of
transaction
→ All dates are 2025 unless otherwise noted. Due dates for an individual election apply when the committee is
active in that election.
→ Generally, a transaction is due no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction.
→ For committees active in an election, transactions that occur between the 42
nd
day before the election and
Election Day are due not later than seven calendar days after the date of the transaction. A transaction that
occurs prior to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not been filed by the 43
rd
day before the election, is
due not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before the election,
whichever date occurs first.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is due. If the
deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the next
business day.
See page 5 for information on calculating the deadline for filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures or detailed transactions if a candidate is exempt from filing a candidate committee but then
exceeds the $750 threshold of campaign finance activity.
See “Filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures” on page 14 for information on
calculating the deadline for filing transactions if a committee has exceeded the $3,500 threshold after
filing a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures for a calendar year.
See page 18 for the deadlines to report contributions received during a legislative session, and who is
subject to those deadlines.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 23
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Initiative Petition Committees for Calendar Year 2024
May 21 Primary Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
on or before
March 17
30th day after date of
transaction
March 18 to
April 8
April 16
April 9 to
May 21
7th day after date of
transaction
July 5 Signature Submission Deadline
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
May 22 to
May 23
May 31
May 24 to
July 5
7th day after date of
transaction
November 5 General Election
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
July 6 to
September 1
30th day after date of
transaction
September 2 to
September 23
October 1
September 24 to
November 5
7th day after date of
transaction
November 6 to
December 31
30th day after date of
transaction
→ All dates are 2024 unless otherwise noted.
→ Generally, a transaction is due not later than 30
calendar days after the date of the transaction.
→ Transactions that occur between the 42
nd
day
before the election and Election Day are due no
later than seven calendar days after the date of
the transaction. A transaction that occurs prior
to the 42
nd
day before the election and has not
been filed by the 43
rd
day before the election, is
due not later than 30 calendar days after the
date of the transaction or by the 35
th
day before
the election, whichever date occurs first.
→ Transactions that occur prior the 42
nd
day before
the date that is four months before the general
election and ending on the date that is four
months before the general election are due no
later than seven calendar days after the date of
the transaction.
→ Transactions that occur prior to the 42
nd
day
before the date that is four months before the
general election and have not been filed by the
43
rd
day before the date that is four months
before the general election, are due not later
than 30 calendar days after the date of the
transaction or by the 35
th
day before the date
that is four months before the general election,
whichever date occurs first.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later
than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is
due. If the deadline falls on a weekend or
holiday, the transaction is due not later than
11:59:00 pm on the next business day.
See “Petition Committee Transaction Filing
Deadlines” on page 18 for transaction
deadline information for referendum and
recall petition committees.
See “Filing a Certificate of Limited
Contributions and Expenditures” on page 14
for information on calculating the deadline
for filing transactions if a committee has
exceeded the $3,500 threshold after filing a
Certificate of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures for a calendar year.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 24
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Initiative Petition Committees for Calendar Year 2025
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
January 1 to
December 31
30th day after date of
transaction
→ All dates are 2025 unless otherwise noted.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later
than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is
due. If the deadline falls on a weekend or
holiday, the transaction is due not later than
11:59:00 pm on the next business day.
See “Petition Committee Transaction Filing
Deadlines” on page 18 for transaction
deadline information for referendum and
recall petition committees.
See “Filing a Certificate of Limited
Contributions and Expenditures” on page 14
for information on calculating the deadline
for filing transactions if a committee has
exceeded the $3,500 threshold after filing a
Certificate of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures for a calendar year.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 25
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Independent Expenditure Filer for Calendar Year 2024
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
January 1 – January 7
30th day after date of transaction
January 8 – January 29
February 6
January 30 – March 12
7th day after date of transaction
March 13 – March 17
30th day after date of transaction
March 18 – April 8
April 16
April 9 – May 21
7th day after date of transaction
May 22 – June 23
30th day after date of transaction
June 24 – July 15
July 23
July 16 – August 27
7th day after date of transaction
August 28 – September 1
30th day after date of transaction
September 2 – September 23
October 1
September 24 – November 5
7th day after date of transaction
November 6 – December 31
30th day after date of transaction
Not later than seven calendar days after exceeding the $250 threshold in a calendar year, an independent
expenditure filer is required to disclose all independent expenditures made on or after January 1 in that
calendar year. Any subsequent independent expenditure made after the initial filings are required to be filed
according to the 2024 schedule above. An Iidependent expenditure filer is considered active at all elections and
cannot opt out of seven-day reporting.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is due. If the
deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the next
business day.
→ All dates are 2024.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 26
Schedule of Transaction Deadlines
Independent Expenditure Filer for Calendar Year 2025
transaction occurs:
deadline to file:
January 1 – January 5
30th day after date of transaction
January 6 – January 27
February 4
January 28 – March 11
7th day after date of transaction
March 12 – March 16
30th day after date of transaction
March 17 – April 7
April 15
April 8 – May 20
7th day after date of transaction
May 21 – June 22
30th day after date of transaction
June 23 – July 14
July 22
July 15 – August 26
7th day after date of transaction
August 27 – August 31
30th day after date of transaction
September 1 – September 22
September 20
September 23 – November 4
7th day after date of transaction
November 5 – December 31
30th day after date of transaction
Not later than seven calendar days after exceeding the $250 threshold in a calendar year, an independent
expenditure filer is required to disclose all independent expenditures made on or after January 1 in that
calendar year. Any subsequent independent expenditure made after the initial filings are required to be filed
according to the 2025 schedule above. An independent expenditure filer is considered active at all elections and
cannot opt out of seven-day reporting.
→ The deadline for filing transactions is not later than 11:59:00 pm on the day the transaction is due. If the
deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction is due not later than 11:59:00 pm on the next
business day.
→ All dates are 2025.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 27
Transaction Types and Subtypes
A committee must choose a transaction type when creating each transaction. The transaction subtype choices
that display in ORESTAR when creating a transaction are based on the transaction type that has been selected.
Of the six transaction types, the only one that is used by an independent expenditure filer is Expenditure.
Each transaction type description below begins with information common to all subtypes. Each subtype
then provides a list of required information and details specific to that subtype.
Filing Transactions
After a transaction is entered and saved, you must also take steps to validate and file the transaction.
Refer to the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for instructions on validating and filing transactions after
they have been entered and saved in the committee’s Private Workshop.
Transaction Type
Available Transaction Subtypes
Contributions (page 27)
Cash Contribution
In-Kind Contribution
In-Kind/Forgiven Account Payable
In-Kind/Forgiven Personal Expenditures
Loan Received (Non-Exempt)
Expenditure (page 35)
Account Payable
Cash Expenditure
Loan Payment (Non-Exempt)
Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement
Other Transactions (page 41)
Account Payable Rescinded
Cash Balance Adjustment
Loan Forgiven (Non-Exempt)
Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment
Other Account Receivable (page 44)
Miscellaneous Account Receivable
Other Disbursements (page 45)
Loan Payment (Exempt)
Miscellaneous Other Disbursement
Nonpartisan Activity
Return or Refund of Contribution
Other Receipts (page 48)
Interest/Investment Income
Items Sold at Fair Market Value
Loan Received (Exempt)
Lost or Returned Check
Miscellaneous Other Receipt
Refunds and Rebates
Contributions
This section generally describes the term “contribution” under Oregon election law. Some moneys received by
committees are not considered contributions.
Each cash contribution or loan received by a committee must be deposited into the committee’s campaign
account not later than seven business days after the date the money is received.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 28
Definition of Contribution
A contribution includes:
→ the payment, loan, gift, forgiving of indebtedness, or furnishing without equivalent compensation or
consideration, of money, services other than personal services for which no compensation is asked or
given, supplies, equipment, or any other thing of value:
✓ for the purpose of influencing an election for public office or an election on a measure, or of reducing
the debt of a candidate for nomination or election to public office or the debt of a political committee,
or
✓ to or on behalf of a candidate, political committee, or measure.
If a contribution is made for compensation or consideration of less than equivalent value (e.g., the contributor
receives something of value such as a t-shirt, dinner, or auction item), only the amount in excess value of the
good or service is a contribution.
See Fundraising Activities page 62 for more information.
Contributions Received by an Entity Other Than the Committee
If an individual or organization collects contributions on behalf of a candidate or committee, the contributions
must be reported as being received from the person giving the contribution, not the collecting individual or
organization that forwards the contributions. Violations may result in criminal penalties for making contributions
in a false name. Any “person” engaging in this type of activity must deliver each contribution to the committee
not later than seven business days after the contribution is received.
Contributions collected by an entity other than a committee, including connected organizations such as
unions, associations, or online contribution services, are considered received by the committee once the
contributions are in the physical custody of the committee or are electronically deposited in the
committee’s campaign account, whichever is sooner.
Failure to deliver the contribution within the required seven business day deadline may result in the
collecting individual or organization meeting the definition of a political committee, which would require
the formation of a political committee and the filing of all campaign finance transactions in ORESTAR.
Contribution of Stock
If a person contributes stock to a committee, the contributor is the person that is giving the stock to the
committee. The contribution amount is the market value of the stock the day it is received.
If the stock is sold for more than the amount originally reported as a contribution, the difference is reported as
an Other Receipt using subtype Interest/Investment Income. If it is sold for less than the amount originally
reported the difference is reported as an Other Disbursement using subtype Investment Lost.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 29
Prohibited Contributions
Anonymous Contributions
Warning: No committee or person associated with a committee shall accept anonymous contributions.
This includes “passing a hat,” a “collection plate,” or setting out a “jar” to collect contributions.
If a committee receives a contribution and cannot identify the contributor, the contribution must be donated to
an organization that can accept anonymous contributions. A committee is not required to report the receipt of
the contribution if the committee has not deposited the contribution into the campaign account, and the
contribution is disbursed within seven calendar days of receipt.
If the committee has kept the anonymous contribution for more than seven calendar days or has deposited it in
the campaign account, the committee must disclose the receipt of the anonymous contribution as a cash
contribution. When the committee donates the anonymous contribution, it should report the donation as a cash
expenditure and include the transaction ID number of the previously reported anonymous contribution in the
Description field.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information on how to report an anonymous
contribution.
Cryptocurrency
A person may not make a contribution to a political candidate, a political committee or a petition committee
using cryptocurrency. “Cryptocurrency” means digital or virtual currency that relies on cryptography to effect
transfers and a decentralized network to record transactions.
Contributions in a False Name
It is a criminal offense to make a contribution or donation or to directly or indirectly reimburse a person for
making a contribution or donation relating to a candidate, measure, political committee, or petition committee
in any name other than the person that provides the contribution (i.e., a contribution in a false name). Likewise,
it is illegal to knowingly receive a contribution or donation in a false name or enter it into a committee’s
account.
Warning: Making a contribution or donation in a false name is a class C felony, punishable by up to five
years imprisonment and/or a $125,000 fine.
Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals are prohibited by federal law from making political contributions to influence the election of
any candidate. Only exclusive ballot measure committees may accept contributions from foreign nationals.
Foreign nationals include:
→ individuals with foreign citizenship;
→ immigrants not possessing a “green card”;
→ foreign governments;
→ foreign political parties;
→ foreign corporations;
→ foreign associations;
and
→ foreign partnerships.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 30
Contributor Information
The Contributor field discloses the person who is the source of the contribution. The information that populates
this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
The person signing the check is considered the contributor unless the signer is the trustee of a trust, or is the
accountant for, or is otherwise exercising power of attorney for, the actual contributor.
However, if contributors specify that one check represents two or more contributions from a jointly-held
checking account (e.g., in the memo bar of the check, verbal affirmation or by letter), a separate transaction is
entered for each contributor. Contributors cannot be reported jointly (i.e., John and Jane Doe).
Contributor Name Information
The name for an Address Book record is the full name of the person making the contribution. “Person” includes
an individual, corporation, limited liability company, labor organization, association, firm, partnership, joint
stock company, club, organization, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity.
Generally, do not use acronyms or initials in place of the full name of the contributor unless the acronym
or initials are the full name or registered business name of the contributor.
Contributor Address
The address includes the street number and street name or post office box, along with the city, state, and zip
code. For individual contributors, “address” means the place where the individual receives correspondence (e.g.,
personal residence, post office box, or place of employment). For a contributor with a foreign address the
address must include the street address, city/province/region, country, and postal code.
Do not list an address that is exempt from public disclosure. If the contributor’s address is exempt from public
disclosure; use another address where the contributor receives correspondence.
Occupational Information
Oregon election law requires occupational information for each individual contributor. If the individual is
employed, the employer (name, city, and state where located) must also be provided. If the individual is self-
employed, indicate “Self-Employed.” If the contributor is not employed, such as a homemaker, student, retired
person, or a volunteer, indicate “Not Employed.”
To be considered sufficient, the occupational information must include enough information for an average
member of the voting public to understand the nature of the contributor’s primary job or the nature of their
business. The Elections Division considers the information provided in the Occupation and Employer Information
fields collectively and in context when determining whether the information provided is sufficient.
Occupation
Occupation is the nature of the individual’s primary job if employed or nature of the individual’s
business if self-employed (e.g., real estate broker, restaurant owner, campaign consultant, radio station
owner, etc.). Titles, industry names, or other generic descriptors (e.g., business, business owner,
company owner, owner, self-employed, small business owner) that do not convey the nature of the
business or work performed are not sufficient when a contributor is self-employed.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 31
Employer’s Name and Address
Employer’s name and address are the company’s legal name and the city and state where the company
is physically located. Do not use an acronym unless the registered name of the employer includes the
acronym. Employer information is not entered for an individual who is self-employed or not employed.
Occupation Letter Date
If a committee receives a contribution from an individual that does not identify both components of the
contributor’s occupational information, the committee must send a letter or email to the contributor within
seven calendar days after receiving the contribution asking the contributor to provide occupational information.
A separate letter or email must be sent for each contribution transaction in which the occupational
information is not submitted.
If a contribution transaction must be filed before the occupational information is received,
documentation showing the occupational information was requested within seven calendar days of
receipt of the contribution is required. Documentation consists of both of the following:
→ reporting the date the letter was mailed or emailed to the contributor
and
→ retaining a copy of the dated letter addressed or email sent to the contributor as part of the committee’s
records.
See Retention of Records on page 75.
Calendar Year Aggregate
This field is required if a committee has opted out of the ORESTAR system-calculated aggregate function and
applies only to transaction types Contribution and Expenditure.
See Calculating a Transaction’s Calendar Year Aggregate on page 72 for more information.
Additional Data Fields Required for Contributions Based on Subtype
Cash Contribution
A cash contribution includes cash, checks, or any legal instrument redeemable as currency, transmitted via
physical or electronic means.
A candidate, political committee or a petition committee may not accept aggregate contributions from a
single source of more than $100 per calendar year in the form of physical currency of the United States or
of any other country.
Within one calendar year, a committee may accept up to the equivalent of one $100 bill in
paper money and coins from a single source.
If a contribution is from an out-of-state contributor, that transaction will be highlighted in the color red
when it is filed in ORESTAR.
Date of a Cash Contribution
The date the contribution or loan was received in the committee’s physical custody.
If the contribution or loan is received by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the transaction date is the date
the contribution is credited to the committee’s campaign account.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 32
If the contribution or loan is received via an online merchant account, the transaction date is the date
the committee can access the funds to facilitate the transfer of the money from the merchant account
to the committee’s bank account.
If the contribution or loan is collected by credit card, the transaction date is the date the committee
processed the credit card, not the date the credit card information is received.
If stock is contributed, the transaction date is when the committee receives notice either of the
authorization or of the completion of the transfer, whichever notification occurs first.
It is not the date the check was written, the postmark on the envelope, the date the contribution was
placed in the recipient’s post office box, or the date the contribution was deposited in the committee’s
campaign account.
Contributor
See Contributor Information above.
Amount
Use the full amount contributed.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Cash Contribution transactions.
Occupation Letter Date
This field is only required if sufficient occupational information is not included in the contributor’s
address book entry. See Occupation Letter Date on page 31 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Cash Contribution transactions.
In-Kind Contribution
An in-kind contribution is a good or service, other than money, having monetary value. The value is based on the
fair market value of the good or service. Fair market value is the dollar amount a consumer would expect to pay
for the good or service.
Date of an In-Kind Contribution
The date the candidate, treasurer or any agent of the committee has knowledge of the in-kind
contribution and the goods or services have been purchased or provided.
The date written notification of the in-kind contribution from another political or petition committee is
received is not the date of the in-kind contribution if the candidate, treasurer or any agent of the
committee had knowledge of the in-kind contribution and received the goods or services prior to
receiving the written notification. See In-Kind Expenditure Notification Requirement on page 37 for
more information about the in-kind contribution written notification requirement.
Contributor
See Contributor Information above.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 33
Amount
Use the fair market value of the contribution.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Occupation Letter Date
This field is only required when sufficient occupational information is not included in the contributor’s
address book entry. See Occupation Letter Date on page 31 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for In-Kind Contribution transactions. See page 53 for more information.
In-Kind/Forgiven Account Payable
This transaction subtype is used when a previously reported account payable is forgiven by the creditor.
Date of an In-Kind/Forgiven Account Payable
Use the date the account payable was forgiven.
Contributor
See Contributor Information above.
Amount
Use the amount of the account payable that was forgiven.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Cash Contribution transactions.
Occupation Letter Date
This field is only required if sufficient occupational information is not included in the contributor’s
address book entry. See Occupation Letter Date on page 31 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for In-Kind/Forgiven Account Payable transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on completing the Transaction Association information Associate: partial amount is forgiven
Associate: partial amount is forgiven
Complete: full amount is forgiven
In-Kind/Forgiven Personal Expenditures
This transaction subtype is used when previously reported personal expenditures for reimbursement are
forgiven by the person who made the personal expenditures.
Date of In-Kind/Forgiven Personal Expenditures
Use the date the personal expenditure was forgiven.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 34
Contributor
See Contributor Information above.
Amount
Use the amount of personal expenditures forgiven by the person.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for In-Kind/Forgiven Personal Expenditures transactions.
Occupation Letter Date
This field is only required if sufficient occupational information is not included in the contributor’s
address book entry. See Occupation Letter Date on page 31 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for In-Kind/Forgiven Personal Expenditures transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
Do not associate this transaction to the previously reported Personal Expenditure transaction(s).
Loan Received (Non-Exempt)
A non-exempt loan is generally from a source other than a financial institution. All non-exempt loans received
must be itemized, regardless of the amount. A committee must obtain the name and address of the lender
holding the loan and the total amount of the loan; the terms of the loan, including the interest rate and
repayment schedule must be disclosed when filing the transaction.
It is permissible to receive loans with an interest rate of zero and repayment schedule of “payable when
funds available.” Loan agreements must be preserved in writing for at least two years after the loan
transaction is filed, or until the loan is repaid, whichever is later.
Outstanding loans may not be transferred to another committee.
Each endorser or guarantor of an exempt or non-exempt loan received is considered a contributor and must be
reported unless the endorser or guarantor is the candidate’s spouse.
Date of a Loan Received (Non-Exempt)
The date the loan was received in the committee’s physical custody.
If the loan is received by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the transaction date is the date the loan is
credited to the committee’s campaign account.
If the loan is received via an online merchant account, the transaction date is the date the committee
can access the funds to facilitate the transfer of the money from the merchant account to the
committee’s bank account.
If the loan is collected by credit card, the transaction date is the date the committee processed the
credit card, not the date the credit card information is received.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 35
It is not the date the check was written, the postmark on the envelope, the date the contribution was
placed in the recipient’s post office box, or the date the contribution was deposited in the committee’s
campaign account.
Contributor
See Contributor Information above.
Amount
Use the loan amount.
Interest Rate
Enter the interest rate for the loan. If there is no interest rate attached to the loan, enter “0” (zero).
Repayment Schedule
If there is no repayment schedule, indicate “payable when funds available.”
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Occupation Letter Date
This field is only required if sufficient occupational information is not included in the contributor’s
address book entry. See Occupation Letter Date on page 31 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Loan Received (Non-Exempt) transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Expenditure
This section generally describes the term “expenditure” under Oregon election law. Some payments made by
committees are not considered expenditures. These are Other Disbursements and are discussed on page 45.
Definition of Expenditure
An expenditure includes:
→ payment or furnishing of money or any other thing of value;
→ incurring or repayment of indebtedness or obligation by or on behalf of a candidate, committee, or
person in consideration for any services, supplies, or equipment;
→ any other thing of value performed or furnished for any reason, including support of or opposition to a
candidate, committee, or measure;
→ reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination or election to public office;
or
→ contributions made by a candidate or committee to or on behalf of any other candidate or committee.
All expenditures made by a committee must be drawn from the campaign account and either issued on a check
signed by the candidate or treasurer of the committee or by any other individual designated as a signer on the
account or paid using a committee credit card, debit card, or other form of electronic transmission. This does
not prohibit a person from making a personal expenditure on behalf of the committee and receiving
reimbursement from the campaign account.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 36
Funds that are still part of the committee’s assets, such as funds transferred between checking and
savings accounts or funds held for change at a fundraiser, are not expenditures and should not be
reported.
A committee must not maintain a petty cash fund for making incidental expenditures. Expenditures in the
form of currency are prohibited under ORS 260.054.
Payee Information
This field discloses the person who is the source of the goods, or services received by the committee, or to
whom the committee is making an expenditure. The information that populates this field is based on the
Address Book entry for the transaction.
Payee Name Information
Use the name to whom payment is made or owed.
The name for an Address Book record is the full name of the person associated to the address book entry.
Person includes an individual, corporation, limited liability company, labor organization, association, firm,
partnership, joint stock company, club, organization, or other combination of individuals having collective
capacity.
Generally, do not use acronyms or initials in place of the full name of the payee unless the acronym or
initials are the full name or registered business name of the payee.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
If the committee uses a credit or debit card issued in the committee name, the payee is the business or
individual accepting the card as payment.
See page 62 “Reporting Credit/Debit Card Transactions.”
If a committee uses a payroll processing company to process its payroll, the committee reports the name of the
payroll company as the payee unless the payroll processing company issues a check or payment directly from
the committee’s account, in which case the payee is who the check is made payable to.
Address for a Payee
The payee’s address is the city and state where the payee is located, or county if the payee is not located in a
city. For payee in a foreign country, the address is the city/province/region, and country. A corporate address is
acceptable. Do not list a payee address that is exempt from public disclosure. Payees must provide a
disclosable address.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 37
How to Report In-Kind or Independent Expenditure Information
In-Kind Expenditure Information
If a committee makes an expenditure for a good or service, and the expenditure is an in-kind contribution to
another committee, the expenditure transaction must disclose In-Kind Expenditure Information identifying the
committee(s) that received the in-kind contribution and the amount of the in-kind contribution.
If an expenditure transaction is identified as an in-kind contribution to another committee, that
transaction will be highlighted in the color green when it is filed in ORESTAR.
In-Kind Expenditure Notification Requirement
The committee making the expenditure is required to notify the candidate or committee via letter or email of
the in-kind contribution; notification must be made not later than 48 hours after the expenditure has been filed
in ORESTAR. Failure to notify the candidate or committee within the time frame specified may result in a civil
penalty.
In-Kind Expenditure Benefitting Multiple Committees: Reporting
Requirement
Jane Doe is a candidate for state senate and is holding a fundraiser for herself. Featured guests at the
fundraiser are the two house candidates in her senate district from the same political party, Tom Jones
and Fred Brown. Jane mails an invitational flyer to a district-wide list of potential supporters at a cost of
$500. Because both Tom and Fred are also on the ballot, Jane’s invitation benefits their candidacies as
well. Her $500 expenditure is reported for each candidate which includes the committee name and
amount apportioned to each candidate. In this example the amount apportioned to each candidate is
$125, as each of their districts is one-half the size of Jane’s.
Each candidate reports an in-kind contribution of $125 from Jane’s committee.
Independent Expenditure Information
If a committee or independent expenditure filer makes an independent expenditure (e.g., the expenditure is
NOT coordinated with any agent of the candidate or committee), the independent expenditure must disclose
Independent Expenditure information identifying the candidate, measure or political party, indicate support or
opposition and the amount apportioned to the candidate, measure or political party.
Calendar Year Aggregate
This field is required if a committee has opted out of the ORESTAR system-calculated aggregate function and
applies only to transaction types Contribution and Expenditure.
See Calculating a Transaction’s Calendar Year Aggregate on page 72 for more information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 38
Additional Data Fields Required for Expenditures Based on Subtype
Account Payable
An account payable is an amount owed by the committee to a creditor for the purchase of goods or services.
There is an exception to the requirement of reporting an account payable. If the committee makes the
expenditure to pay the account payable before the due date for filing the account payable transaction, the
Account Payable is not required to be reported.
If a committee active at the 2024 Primary Election incurs an account payable on April 23, 2024, and the
payable is paid on or before April 30, 2024 (the deadline to file the transaction), the committee is not
required to file the account payable. However, if the payable is not paid by April 30, 2024, the committee
is required to file the payable no later than April 30, 2024, 11:59:00 pm and then must file a separate cash
expenditure transaction when the payable is paid.
Date of Account Payable
Use the date an order is placed for goods or services and payment is not made when the order is placed.
It is not the date of the invoice or the date the committee receives the invoice.
Payee
See Payee Information above.
Amount
The amount for an Account Payable transaction can be an estimate or “price quote.” If the committee is
not provided an estimate of the cost of the goods or services, they may use their own estimate of the
cost for reporting purposes. Do not amend the amount of the account payable transaction if the final
amount billed or invoiced is different from the amount originally reported. Do not enter a dollar sign
when entering the amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Account Payable transactions. See page 53 for more information.
In-Kind or Independent Expenditure Information
In-kind or Independent Expenditure Information must be completed for a transaction if:
→ the account payable is an in-kind contribution to another candidate or committee;
→ the account payable is an independent expenditure for a communication supporting or opposing a
candidate or measure; or
→ the account payable is an independent expenditure that is a communication that refers to a
candidate or political party and is disseminated to the relevant electorate 30 days before the
primary election or 60 days before the general election.
The transaction must:
→ be identified as either an in-kind expenditure or independent expenditure;
→ identify the candidate(s), committee(s), or measure(s) supported or opposed by the expenditure;
→ include the amount apportioned to each candidate, committee or measure(s); and
→ identify “support” or “oppose” if it is an independent expenditure.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for detailed instructions about completing the in-
kind or independent expenditure information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 39
Cash Expenditure
Cash expenditures are expenditures drawn from the committee’s account in the form of check, credit card, debit
card, or other electronic transmission.
Date of Cash Expenditure
Use the date written on the check, the date an electronic check is issued, for an online bill pay system
the date the funds are withdrawn from the account, or the date the committee’s credit or debit card is
used.
It is not the date of the credit card statement or the date of payment to the credit card company.
Bank Service Charge: the transaction date is the date the committee receives the statement reporting
the service charge amount.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): the transaction date is the date the expenditure is withdrawn from the
committee’s account.
It is not the date the committee receives the bank statement that reports the amount of the electronic
funds transfer.
Payee
See Payee Information above. When reporting an expenditure from committee funds to reimburse a
person for reported personal expenditures for reimbursement, the payee is the person receiving
reimbursement (who the check is made payable to).
Payment Method
Indicate whether the expenditure is being made by Check, Credit Card, Debit Card, Electronic Check, or
Electronic Funds Transfer.
Check Number
This field is only required if the Payment Method is “check.” Use the number of the check issued by the
committee. Do not enter a check number unless the payment method is Check or Electronic Check. Do
not report voided checks. If a check does not have a printed or hand-written check number (such as a
counter check or money order) enter “counter check” or “money order” in the Description field.
Amount
Use the transaction amount. Do not enter a dollar sign when entering the amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Cash Expenditure transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Transaction Association
This transaction subtype requires an “association” if the expenditure is to pay a previously reported
account payable transaction.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Account Payable.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 40
Associate: partial amount is paid
Complete: full account payable is paid. It is possible that the amount for the expenditure(s) will
not match the amount of the account payable. This is allowed and marking the account payable
as “complete” will ensure the accuracy of the ORESTAR account summary.
In-Kind or Independent Expenditure Information
In-kind or Independent Expenditure Information must be completed for a transaction if:
→ a cash expenditure is an in-kind contribution to another candidate or committee;
→ a cash expenditure is an independent expenditure for a communication supporting or opposing a
candidate or measure; or
→ a cash expenditure is an independent expenditure that is a communication that refers to a
candidate or political party and is disseminated to the relevant electorate 30 days before the
primary election or 60 days before the general election.
The transaction must:
→ be identified as either an in-kind expenditure or independent expenditure;
→ identify the candidate(s), committee(s), or measure(s) supported or opposed by the expenditure;
→ include the amount apportioned to each candidate, committee or measure(s); and
→ identify “support” or “oppose” if it is an independent expenditure.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for detailed instructions about completing the in-
kind or independent expenditure information.
Loan Payment (Non-Exempt)
A non-exempt loan payment is an expenditure made to reduce an outstanding non-exempt loan balance. Each
non-exempt loan payment must be itemized regardless of the amount.
Date of Loan Payment (Non-Exempt)
Use the date written on the check, the date an electronic check is issued, for an online bill pay system
the date the funds are withdrawn from the account, or the date the committee’s credit or debit card is
used.
It is not the date of the credit card statement or the date of payment to the credit card company.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): the transaction date is the date the payment is withdrawn from the
committee’s account.
It is not the date the committee receives the bank statement that reports the amount of the electronic
funds transfer.
Payee
See Payee Information above.
Payment Method
Indicate whether the expenditure is being made by Check, Credit Card, Debit Card, Electronic Check, and
Electronic Funds Transfer.
Check Number
This field is only required if the Payment Method is “check.” Use the number of the check issued by the
committee. Do not enter a check number unless the payment method is Check or Electronic Check. Do
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 41
not report voided checks. If a check does not have a printed or hand-written check number (such as a
counter check or money order) enter “counter check” or “money order” in the Description field.
Amount
Use the loan payment amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Loan Received (Non-Exempt) transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
This transaction subtype requires an “association” to the previously reported loan received (non-
exempt) transaction.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype loan received (non-
exempt).
Associate: the payment partially satisfies the loan
Complete: the payment fully satisfies the loan. This is the last payment.
Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement
An expenditure by a person, including a political or petition committee, from the person’s funds, made on behalf
of a committee, is a personal expenditure for reimbursement if the person expects to be reimbursed from
committee funds. If the person does not want reimbursement, then an in-kind contribution transaction (from
the person) must be reported.
The expenditure made by the person is required to be reported, in addition to the transaction made to
reimburse the person who made the personal expenditure. The name of the person making the personal
expenditure (Payer of Personal Expenditure) and where the person spent their money (Payee) is required to be
disclosed when reporting a personal expenditure for reimbursement. See Personal Expenditures page 58 - 61
for an example of how to report this kind of transaction.
Date of Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement
Use the date a person makes an expenditure (by cash, check, credit card, debit card, etc.) from personal
funds on behalf of the committee and expects repayment.
Payer of Personal Expenditure
The name of the person that makes an expenditure from the person’s funds on behalf of the committee
and wants reimbursement.
Payee
See Payee Information above. The name of the person or business receiving the personal funds.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 42
Notes
This field is not required for Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement transactions. See page 53 for
more information.
Other Transactions
Definition of Other Transactions
A committee uses transaction type Other when an account payable is no longer owed, a non-exempt loan is
forgiven, the outstanding personal expenditure balance on the committee’s account summary cannot be
reconciled, or if the committee’s campaign account balance does not match the cash balance reported in
ORESTAR.
Additional Data Fields for Other Transactions Based on Subtype
Account Payable Rescinded
This subtype is used if a previously reported account payable is no longer owed because the payable is disputed
or if it is later determined that the payable invoice was sent in error and the committee is not obligated to pay
the account payable that was previously reported.
Date of Account Payable Rescinded
Use the date the committee determines that the payable is disputed and no longer owed or the date a
contract is cancelled.
Payee
This field discloses the person rescinding the account payable. The information that populates this field
is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the amount rescinded.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Account Payable Rescinded transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Transaction Association
Associate the transaction to the previously reported Account Payable.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Account Payable.
Associate: partial amount is rescinded
Complete: full amount is rescinded
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 43
Cash Balance Adjustment
This subtype is used to make an adjustment to the committee’s cash balance on its Account Summary to match
the balance in the committee’s campaign account. This transaction should be filed only if the committee has
exhausted all efforts to determine why there is a discrepancy between the Account Summary cash balance and
the cash balance in the committee’s campaign account.
Date of Cash Balance Adjustment
Use the date the committee determines that it cannot reconcile the committee’s campaign account
balance to match the cash balance as reported on the committee’s Account Summary in ORESTAR.
Amount
Use the amount the balance should be adjusted by. To subtract amount from balance, enter a negative
sign in front of the amount or use parenthesis.
Description
Enter “To match bank balance.”
Notes
This field is not required for Cash Balance Adjustment transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Filing a Cash Balance Adjustment may result in a civil penalty.
Loan Forgiven (Non-Exempt)
This subtype is used if a previously reported non-exempt loan received is forgiven by the lender.
Date of Loan Forgiven (Non-Exempt)
Use the date the loan is forgiven or paid by another person.
Payee
This field discloses the person who is forgiving a non-exempt loan. The information that populates this
field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the amount forgiven.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Loan Forgiven (Non-Exempt) transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Loan Forgiven (Non-Exempt) transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
Associate to the previously reported Loan Received (Non-Exempt).
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 44
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Loan Forgiven (Exempt).
Associate: partial amount is forgiven
Complete: full amount is forgiven
Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment
This subtype is used to make an adjustment to the committee’s outstanding personal expenditure balance on its
Account Summary. This transaction should be filed only if the committee has exhausted all efforts to determine
why there is a discrepancy between the Account Summary Outstanding Personal Expenditure Balance and what
the committee believes the balance should be.
Date of Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment
Use the date the committee determines the committee’s outstanding personal expenditure balance is
not accurate on the committee’s Account Summary in ORESTAR.
Filing a Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment may result in a civil penalty.
Amount
Use the amount the balance should be adjusted by. To subtract amount from balance, enter a negative
sign in front of the amount or use parenthesis.
Description
Enter “To match committee records.”
Notes
This field is not required for Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment transactions. See page 53 for
more information.
Other Account Receivable
This section generally describes the term “other account receivable” under Oregon election law.
Definition of Other Account Receivable
Other Account Receivable is money that the committee expects to receive that is exempt from being considered
a contribution.
Data Fields Required for Other Account Receivable Based on Subtype
Miscellaneous Account Receivable
This is the only subtype used to report an Other Account Receivable. This subtype includes the receivable
associated with a loan extended by a committee, or to report the fair market value of auction/fundraising
proceeds that have not been collected.
Date of Miscellaneous Account Receivable
The date the committee makes an expenditure for a loan, or the date of the auction to report the fair
market value of auction/fundraising proceeds that have not yet been collected, or the date the
committee makes an expenditure for a deposit. All of these actions require the committee to file a
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 45
miscellaneous account receivable transaction to reflect the committee is expecting to receive money
from some source.
Contributor/Payee
This field discloses the person from whom the committee expects to receive money. The information
that populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Miscellaneous Account Receivable transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Other Disbursements
This section generally describes the term “other disbursements.” Some expenditures made by committees are
reportable but not considered an “expenditure” for reporting purposes.
Data Fields Required for Other Disbursements Based on Subtype
Loan Payment (Exempt)
This subtype is used to report a payment on the principal of an exempt loan. Any interest payment on an
exempt loan is reported as a cash expenditure.
Date of Loan Payment (Exempt)
The transaction date for an Other Disbursement is the date written on the check, the date the
committee’s credit or debit card is used, or the date of the EFT.
Payee
This field discloses the person to whom the loan payment is made. The information that populates this
field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Payment method
This field is not required for Loan Payment (Exempt) transactions.
Amount
Use the amount of the loan payment.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Loan Payment (Exempt) transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Loan Payment (Exempt) transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 46
Transaction Association
Associate to the previously reported Loan Received (Exempt).
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Loan Forgiven (Exempt).
Associate: the loan payment does not fully satisfy the loan
Complete: the loan payment fully satisfies the loan. This is the last payment.
Miscellaneous Other Disbursement
This subtype is used when the committee needs to report a loss on an investment or expenses for the
preparation and distribution of slate cards and sample ballots by state or local political party committees that
meet the criteria set forth below, or if the committee makes an expenditure for a purpose that is not political
and therefore does not meet the definition of an expenditure.
A slate card or sample ballot must meet both of the following criteria to qualify as a Miscellaneous Other
Disbursement:
→ contains the names of at least three candidates running for election to any public office within the state;
and
→ is not distributed through public advertising such as broadcast media, newspapers, magazines, or billboards.
If the above criteria are not met, the committee will report the transactions associated with the preparation and
distribution of the sample ballot or slate card as expenditures.
If any committee other than a political party committee or an independent expenditure filer makes
expenditures to produce slate cards and sample ballots, those transactions are reported as cash
expenditures.
Using this subtype requires information in the Description field of the transaction to explain the purpose
of the disbursement.
Date of Miscellaneous Other Disbursement
The transaction date for an Other Disbursement is the date written on the check, the date the
committee’s credit or debit card is used, or the date of the EFT.
The date for reporting a loss on an investment is the date the committee receives the statement
reporting the loss.
Payee
This field discloses the person to whom the Miscellaneous Other Disbursement is made. The
information that populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Payment method
This field is not required for Miscellaneous Other Disbursement transactions.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 47
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Miscellaneous Other Disbursement transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Nonpartisan Activity
This subtype is used to report activity designed to encourage individuals to vote or to register to vote, regardless
of party affiliation.
Date of Nonpartisan Activity
The transaction date for Nonpartisan Activity is the date written on the check, the date the committee’s
credit or debit card is used, or the date of the EFT.
Contributor/Payee
This field is not required for Nonpartisan Activity transactions.
Payment method
This field is not required for Nonpartisan Activity transactions.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Nonpartisan Activity transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Nonpartisan Activity transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Return or Refund of Contribution
This subtype is used if a contribution is returned more than seven calendar days after receipt or is deposited in
the campaign account prior to the refund being issued, or if a reported contribution is returned by the financial
institution for insufficient funds.
Contributions received by the committee and returned to the contributor within seven calendar days of
receipt without being deposited in the campaign account are not reportable.
A contribution received by a committee subject to reporting contributions received during a legislative session
that is returned within two business days of receipt without being deposited in the campaign account is also not
reportable.
Date of Return or Refund of Contribution
The transaction date Return or Refund of Contribution is the date written on the check, the date the
committee’s credit or debit card is used, or the date of the EFT.
Payee
This field discloses the person to whom the contribution is returned or refunded. The information that
populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 48
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Payment method
This field is not required for Return or Refund of Contribution transactions.
Amount
Use the amount returned or refunded.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Return or Refund of Contribution transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Return or Refund of Contribution transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
Associate with the previously reported contribution.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Loan Forgiven (Exempt).
Associate: returning or refunding a portion of the contribution
Complete: returning or refunding the full contribution
Other Receipts
This section generally describes the term “other receipts.”
Definition of Other Receipt
An “other receipt” is money received by a committee that does not meet the definition of contribution but still
is reportable.
Data Fields Required for Other Receipt Based on Subtype
Interest/Investment Income
This subtype includes interest earned from bank accounts, certificates of deposit, proceeds earned from
invested funds, and dividends earned on securities.
Date of Interest/Investment Income
The date that the committee receives the statement reporting the amount of interest earned or
investment income. If a committee liquidates stock and the value has increased after reporting the
receipt of the original contribution, the date for reporting the investment income is the date the stock is
liquidated.
Contributor
This field is not required for Interest/Investment Income transactions.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 49
Amount
Use the amount of interest or investment income.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Interest/Investment Income transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Interest/Investment Income transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Items Sold at Fair Market Value
When a contributor receives a good or service in return for a portion of a contribution, such as dinner or a t-
shirt, only the amount in excess of the fair market value of the item or service received is a contribution. The fair
market value amount is a reportable other receipt. Moneys received on a single day which qualifies as Items
Sold at Fair Market Value may be totaled and reported as one transaction.
Fair market value is the dollar amount a consumer would expect to pay for the good or service. See pages
62- 66 for more information on reporting
Fundraising Activities.
Date of Items Sold at Fair Market Value
The date funds are received for the item sold at fair market value.
Contributor
This field is not required for Items Sold at Fair Market Value transactions.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Items Sold at Fair Market Value transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Items Sold at Fair Market Value transactions. See page 53 for more
information.
Transaction Association
If this transaction applies to a previously reported Miscellaneous Account Receivable, the two
transactions should be associated. Otherwise, an association is not required.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Miscellaneous Account
Receivable.
Associate: the sale does not fully satisfy the receivable.
Complete: the sale fully satisfies the receivable. This is the last payment.
Loan Received (Exempt)
Loans received (including a line of credit) from a financial institution are exempt if the loan meets all of the
following conditions:
→ bears the institution’s usual and customary interest rate for the category of loan involved;
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 50
→ is made on a basis that ensures repayment;
→ is evidenced by a written instrument; and
→ is subject to a due date or amortization schedule.
Loan agreements must be preserved in writing for at least two years after the loan transaction is filed, or
until the loan is repaid, whichever is later.
The terms of the loan, including the interest rate and repayment schedule, must be disclosed. If a loan fails to
meet all of the above conditions, it is a non-exempt loan and is reported as a contribution from the lending
institution.
See “Loan Received (Non-Exempt)” on page 34.
Methods of Ensuring Repayment
A committee may use the following traditional methods of securing the loan:
→ Collateral: A loan may be secured using assets of the candidate or committee, such as real estate,
personal property, cash on deposit, certificates of deposit, or stocks. The fair market value of the assets
must, on the date of the loan, equal or exceed the amount of the loan and any senior liens. The
committee must ensure that the financial institution has established a “perfected security interest” in the
collateral (i.e., the committee has taken steps to legally protect the institution’s interest in the collateral
in the event that the committee defaults on the loan);
or
→ Endorsements or Guarantees: An endorser or guarantor of an exempt loan is considered a contributor.
However, if the committee receiving the loan is a candidate committee and the guarantor is the
candidate’s spouse, the spouse is not reported as a contributor.
Date of Loan Received (Exempt)
The date the loan is received in the committee’s physical custody.
Contributor/Payee
This field discloses the institution/person providing the loan. The information that populates this field is
based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the loan amount.
Interest Rate
This field is required when disclosing a Loan Received (Exempt).
Repayment Schedule
This field is required when disclosing a Loan Received (Exempt).
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Loan Received (Exempt) transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Loan Received (Exempt) transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 51
Co-Signer Obligation
This field is only required if the loan has a cosigner. Each endorser or guarantor of an exempt or non-
exempt loan received is considered a contributor and must be reported, unless the guarantor is the
candidate’s spouse.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for detailed instructions about completing the co-
signer obligation information when entering a transaction.
Lost or Returned Check
This subtype is used when a check issued by the committee has not been cashed, the committee no longer
expects it to be cashed, the check is returned for insufficient funds, a stop payment is ordered on a check which
was issued, or when a portion or the full amount of a contribution is returned to a committee (previously
reported as an expenditure by the committee.)
If the committee issues a replacement check for one that has been lost or returned or for insufficient
funds, the committee reports the replacement check as a cash expenditure.
Date of Lost or Returned Check
The date the committee orders a stop payment on the check, the date the committee reissues a
replacement check, the date the committee no longer expects the check to be cashed, or the date the
committee is notified that a check is returned for insufficient funds, whichever occurs first.
Contributor/Payee
This field discloses the person who wrote the check that has been returned. The information that
populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the amount of the lost or returned check.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Lost or Returned Check transactions.
Notes
This field is not required for Lost or Returned Check transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Transaction Association
Associate the transaction to the previously reported expenditure.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Lost or Returned Check.
Associate: a portion of the check is returned.
Complete: the full check amount was lost or returned.
Miscellaneous Other Receipt
Miscellaneous other receipts include the receipt of payments to reduce a loan extended by the committee and
moneys received that do not meet the definition of contribution. This subtype is also used to report the receipt
of money related to an over-reimbursement of personal expenditures.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 52
If using this subtype to report the receipt of money because a person was over-reimbursed for personal
expenditures, the transaction must be associated to the cash expenditure transaction that reimbursed the
person.
Date of Miscellaneous Other Receipt
The date the miscellaneous other receipt is received in the committee’s physical custody.
Contributor/Payee
This field discloses the institution/person providing the miscellaneous other receipt. The information
that populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
See Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes section on page 53 for additional information.
Notes
This field is not required for Miscellaneous Other Receipt transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Transaction Association
If this transaction applies to a previously reported Miscellaneous Account Receivable, the two
transactions should be associated. Otherwise, an association is not required.
See Transaction Association page 55 and the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information
on how to complete a transaction association when using transaction subtype Miscellaneous Account
Receivable.
Associate: the receipt does not fully satisfy the receivable
Complete: the receipt fully satisfies the receivable. This is the last payment.
Refunds and Rebates
This subtype includes a refund of a deposit, a rebate from a vendor, or a return of overpayment from a vendor.
Refunds and rebates to committees must be offered in the ordinary course of business and on the same terms
and conditions as those offered to nonpolitical entities.
Date of Refunds and Rebates
The date the refund or rebate is received in the committee’s physical custody.
Contributor/Payee
This field discloses the institution/person providing the miscellaneous other receipt. The information
that populates this field is based on the Address Book entry for the transaction.
See “ORESTAR Address Book” on pages 73 - 74 of this manual and the ORESTAR User’s Manual:
Transaction Filing for the instructions for completing an Address Book entry.
Amount
Use the transaction amount.
Description and/or Purpose
These fields are not required for Refunds and Rebates transactions.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 53
Notes
This field is not required for Refunds and Rebates transactions. See page 53 for more information.
Transaction Description, Purpose, and Notes
The transaction description, purpose and notes fields work together to provide context for a transaction. Some
transactions require a purpose/description. All transactions allow them. The Notes field is only visible to the
committee and the Elections Division. Except for the purpose “Reimbursement for Personal Expenditures” the
committee may use either the Purpose or Description field (or both) to provide sufficient context for a
transaction.
Description
This field is used to enter a detailed description of a transaction’s purpose. It may be completed in lieu of
selecting one of the pre-defined ORESTAR purposes with the exception of using Reimbursement for Personal
Expenditures when writing a check to reimburse a person for previously reported personal expenditures.
It must be completed if any of the following pre-defined transaction purposes are used: General Operational
Expenses, Public Office Holder Expenses, or Travel Expenses.
It also must be completed when reporting a transaction with subtype Miscellaneous Other Disbursement, Cash
Balance Adjustment or Personal Expenditure Adjustment.
Notes
This field is used to record additional information about a transaction. Do not use this field for information that
is required to be in the Description field. It is also used to document why an in-kind contribution (from another
committee) amount is amended after the due date for the transaction.
Transaction Purpose(s)
Each Expenditure transaction type and In-Kind Contribution transaction subtype must have a Transaction
Purpose, unless a purpose is provided in the Description field. Multiple transaction purposes may be used except
when reimbursing a person for personal expenditures. The following transaction purposes are available:
Broadcast Advertising
Use for expenditures for radio or television advertising.
Cash Contribution
Use for a contribution given to another committee or organization.
Fundraising Event Expenses
Use for expenditures associated with holding a fundraiser, including payments to restaurants, hotels, caterers,
other food and refreshment vendors, entertainers, and speakers.
General Operational Expenses
Use for general campaign operating expenses, including filing fees, bank service charges, purchase or rental of
office equipment and furniture for the campaign, and office supplies. When this purpose is used, additional
information is required to be entered in the Description field (e.g., office supplies, furniture).
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 54
Interest Payment
Use for interest paid to a financial institution or other lender for a loan made to the committee.
Literature, Brochures, Printing
Use for expenditures for the preparation and production of campaign literature and printed solicitations,
including expenditures for mailing lists, design, photography, copy, layout, printing, and reproduction.
Loan Extended
Use for an expenditure made by a committee that is a loan to another committee or organization. The
committee must create and file a Miscellaneous Account Receivable transaction for the outstanding loan
amount.
Management Services
Use for fees and commissions paid to campaign management companies, agents, and campaign consultants.
Newspaper and Other Periodical Advertising
Use for expenditures for advertising in newspapers, periodicals, and other publication
Online and Social Media Advertising
Use for expenditures related to the production and purchase of websites, online content, social media, phone
apps, etc. and all related advertising.
Other Advertising
Use for expenditures related to the production and purchase of advertising , billboards, yard signs, voters’
pamphlet statements and arguments, and campaign paraphernalia such as buttons, bumper stickers, t-shirts,
etc.
Petition Circulators
Use for payments made to individuals for collection of signatures on a petition or to a company that pays
petition circulators.
Postage
Use for expenditures for stamps, postage, and direct mail services.
Preparation and Production of Advertising
Use for payments related to the preparation or production of broadcast, newspaper or other periodical
advertising.
Public Office Holder Expenses
Use for expenditures related to public office holder expenses such as gifts of nominal value, conference
registration fees, membership dues, constituent communications, staff wages, office rent, mileage, gas, and
travel. Additional information is required to be entered in the Description field (e.g., conference registration fee,
staff wages, office rent, etc.).
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 55
Reimbursement for Personal Expenditures
Use for payments made to a person for reimbursement of a personal expenditure made on behalf of the
committee. The personal expenditure made by the person must be reported as a separate transaction.
See Personal Expenditures on pages 58 - 61 for information on how to report personal expenditures and
reimbursement from committee funds.
When using the Reimbursement for Personal Expenditure purpose, the entire amount of the transaction
is subtracted from the committee’s Outstanding Personal Expenditure balance on the Account Summary.
If a check represents more than just a reimbursement for personal expenditures, you must enter and file
two separate transactions.
Surveys and Polls
Use for expenditures related to surveys and polls, reports on election trends, voter surveys, telemarketing, and
telephone banks, etc.
See OAR 165-012-0050 for calculating the value of the poll results if the results are shared with any
Oregon political or petition committee.
Travel Expenses
Use for expenditures related to travel. Additional information is required to be entered in the Description field
(e.g., lodging, airfare, meals, gas, mileage, etc.).
Utilities
Use for expenditures for utilities (e.g., telephone, internet access, electricity, etc.)
Wages, Salaries, Benefits
Use for expenditures related to campaign staff payroll, including wages, employment taxes, insurance, and
payments to temporary employment agencies, etc.
Transaction Association
An associated transaction is a transaction that is connected to, or dependent upon, another transaction that has
previously been entered in ORESTAR. For example, a cash expenditure that is a partial or full payment of a
previously entered account payable transaction must be associated to reduce the outstanding account payable
balance on the committee’s Account Summary.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 56
Prohibited Use of a Committee’s Campaign Funds
Prohibited Personal Use
All committees are prohibited from using campaign funds (any amounts received as contributions) for any
person’s personal use. “Personal use” means any use of a committee’s funds to fulfill a personal commitment,
obligation, or expense that would exist irrespective of the committee’s business, the campaign or duties as a
public office holder. This prohibition applies to all three types of committees (candidate, political action
committee, and petition committee). Contact the Elections Division if you need guidance on what constitutes
“prohibited personal use.”
Examples of prohibited personal use include, but are not limited to:
→ the purchase of household food items or supplies;
→ clothing other than items of de minimis value used in the campaign
→ mortgage, rent, or utility payments for real or personal property that is owned by any individual and used
for campaign purposes, to the extent the payments exceed the fair market value of the property usage;
→ expenses made in connection a public office holder’s unexcused absence from performing their duties;
→ admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment, unless part of a specific
campaign or office holder activity;
→ dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, recreational facility, or vacation property, unless
they are part of the costs of a specific fundraising event that takes place on the club’s or facility’s
premises;
→ dues to professional or civic organizations in which the membership is not integrally related to the
candidate’s election or duties as a public office holder or an individual’s duties related to a political
committee or petition committee;
→ loans made to any individual for the individual’s personal use;
→ salary to a person, unless the person is providing bona fide services to the committee or the public office
holder;
→ any judgment awarded under ORS 18.005, or any civil penalty imposed by an agency as defined in ORS
183.310, or imposed by a local government as defined in ORS 174.116; or
Exceptions to the Personal Use Prohibition
Campaign funds may be used for expenses incurred as a public office holder if directly related to an office
holder’s official duties, or for expenses incurred by a candidate committee, political action committee or
petition committee if the expenses are related to the business of the committee. Examples include:
→ mileage for use of a personal vehicle (not exceeding current federal rate);
→ service and fuel for a leased or purchased vehicle;
When reporting expenditures relating to vehicle usage, a claim may be made for either payment of
mileage or expenses related to use of the vehicle (e.g., gas, maintenance), but not both.
→ the purchase or lease of office equipment or supplies;
→ room rental for public meetings;
→ lodging and food;
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 57
→ convention or conference fees;
→ telephone expenses;
→ salary or expenses associated with employees performing official business;
→ a campaign party or thank you party for volunteers and supporters;
→ occasional childcare expenses incurred by the candidate or public office holder that are a direct result of
performing their duties; reasonable recognition for campaign volunteers and employees in proportion to
the amount of bona fide services provided during the campaign, unless made to a member of the
candidate’s family; or
→ gifts of nominal value and donations of a nominal amount made on a significant event such as a holiday,
graduation, marriage, retirement, or death, unless made to a member of the candidate’s family.
If a governmental body or any other person later reimburses a campaign for a specific expenditure made
from campaign funds, or for personal expenditures made by a person, the reimbursement must be
deposited into the campaign account and reported as a miscellaneous other receipt.
The committee must be reimbursed for any committee assets (e.g., computer, furniture, etc.) converted to
personal use.
Expenditures for Professional Services Rendered by Candidate
A candidate or principal campaign committee of a candidate may not use campaign funds to make an
expenditure to pay the candidate a salary or otherwise compensate themselves for lost income or for
professional services rendered to their committee. Contact the Elections Division if you need guidance on what
constitutes “professional services.”
Common Campaign Activities
Receiving Contributions Online
A committee may use a web-based company to receive contributions. Each contribution must be deposited in
the committee’s account within seven business days of its collection. The committee reports the entire amount
contributed even if the company retains a percentage of the contribution for processing fees. Any amount
retained for processing fees is a reportable expenditure. The sum total of the processing fees retained on a
single day may be entered and filed as one expenditure.
The committee receives a $200 contribution and a $100 contribution electronically via PayPal on January
5, 2024. PayPal retains $5 for processing the $200 contribution and $2.50 for processing the $100
contribution. Even though only $292.50 is deposited into the campaign account, the committee reports
the full amount of each contribution (each as a separate transaction) and reports a $7.50 expenditure
transaction (the total processing fee retained on January 5) reporting PayPal as the payee.
Legal Expenses
In general, any committee may use amounts received as contributions to pay legal expenses incurred when
seeking legal advice when:
→ no legal proceeding or investigation related to the duties of the respective treasurer, director, chief
petitioner, candidate, or public official has been initiated;
and
→ the legal expenses do not constitute Prohibited Personal Use defined on page 56.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 58
If a legal proceeding or investigation has been initiated, the committee may not use amounts received as
contributions to pay legal expenses unless:
→ the legal proceeding was brought under ORS chapters 246 to 260 or a campaign finance provision of a
county charter or ordinance, a campaign finance provision of a city charter or ordinance, or any charter
or ordinance provision adopted under the authority of ORS 260.163, excluding legal proceedings
brought under ORS 260.407 or ORS 260.409 or an equivalent provision of a county or city charter or
ordinance;
or
→ the legal proceeding or investigation does not arise from the course and scope of the duties of:
o the candidate or public official, for Candidate Committees;
o the treasurer or director, for Political Action Committees;
o the chief petitioner(s) or treasurer, for Petition Committees.
If either of the criteria immediately above apply, legal expenses related to such legal proceeding or
investigations must not constitute Prohibited Personal Use defined on page 56.
Under certain circumstances, Legal and Accounting Services may be non-reportable activities. See page
68 for additional information
Personal Expenditures
A personal expenditure occurs when a person spends money on behalf of a committee and expects to be
reimbursed by the committee. This includes charges on a personal credit or debit card. Two transactions must
be filed to disclose personal expenditures and the subsequent reimbursement.
The first transaction discloses who made the personal expenditure, as well as when and where the money was
spent. The transaction type is Expenditure and the transaction subtype is Personal Expenditure for
Reimbursement. The Payer of Personal Expenditure is the person that used their money to make the
expenditure and the Contributor/Payee is the name of the entity where the person spent the money.
The second transaction discloses the reimbursement to the person from committee funds. The transaction type
is Expenditure and the transaction subtype is Cash Expenditure. The transaction purpose of this transaction
must always be Reimbursement for Personal Expenditures which is available in the ORESTAR Transaction
Purpose dropdown list. The payee for this transaction is the name of the person, even if the check is written
directly to a credit card company.
There is a different reporting requirement when a political committee makes personal expenditures on
behalf of another political committee or is sharing expenses with other committees; see pages 60- 61 for
an example of the reporting requirements.
“Person” includes an individual, corporation, limited liability company, labor organization, association,
firm, partnership, joint stock company, club, organization, or other combination of individuals having
collective capacity. This includes political committees and petition committees.
“Amounts received as contributions” under ORS 260.407 include all types of contributions. An in-kind
contribution of legal expenses to a candidate, political committee, or petition committee constitutes
payment of such legal expenses incurred by the respective treasurer, director, chief petitioner, candidate,
or public official for purposes of ORS 260.407.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 59
How to Report Personal Expenditures Made by a Person That is Not a
Political Committee
Jane Smith goes to Costco on March 1, 2024, and writes a personal check for $212.00 to purchase items
for the committee’s fundraiser. The committee writes check #200 from the campaign account to pay Jane
back on March 10, 2024. There are two transactions to report:
Jane’s personal expenditure is reported as follows:
Transaction Date: 3/1/2024
Transaction Type: Expenditure
Transaction Subtype: Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement
Payer of Personal Expenditure: Jane Smith
Contributor/Payee: Costco
Amount: $212.00
Transaction Purpose(s): Fundraising Event Expenses
The committee’s expenditure to reimburse Jane is reported as follows:
Transaction Date: 3/10/2024
Transaction Type: Expenditure
Transaction Subtype: Cash Expenditure
Contributor/Payee: Jane Smith
Payment Method: Check
Check Number: 200
Amount: $212.00
Transaction Purpose: Reimbursement for Personal Expenditure
If a person is not reimbursed for reported personal expenditures and decides to “forgive” the amount
owed, the committee must report a transaction disclosing the “forgiveness.” The transaction type is
Contribution, the transaction subtype is In-Kind/ Forgiven Personal Expenditures, and the Contributor is
the name of the person forgiving the money owed.
It is important to review the committee’s Outstanding Personal Expenditure Balance on the ORESTAR
Account Summary to ensure that the total is correct. Generally, if there is a “negative” outstanding
amount that means that the committee has reported reimbursements exceeding the amount of reported
personal expenditures.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 60
How to Report Personal Expenditures Made by a Political Committee
ABC PAC uses committee funds to pay the wages ($500) of Sally Smith on March 10, 2024, who is an
employee working for Committee to Elect Jane Doe. ABC PAC expects reimbursement from the candidate
committee. Committee to Elect Jane Doe reimburses ABC PAC on March 15, 2024; ABC PAC receives the
reimbursement check on March 20, 2024. In this example there are four transactions that must be
disclosed.
ABC PAC’s payment to Sally Smith on behalf of Committee to Elect Jane Doe:
Transaction Date: 3/10/2024
Transaction Type: Other Disbursement
Transaction Subtype: Miscellaneous Other Disbursement
Contributor/Payee: Sally Smith
Payment Method: Check
Check Number: 200
Amount: $500.00
Transaction Purpose(s): Wages, Salaries, Benefits
Committee to Elect Jane Doe reports the personal expenditure made by ABC PAC:
Transaction Date: 3/10/2024
Transaction Type: Expenditure
Transaction Subtype: Personal Expenditure for Reimbursement
Payer of Personal Expenditure: ABC PAC
Contributor/Payee: Sally Smith
Amount: $500.00
Transaction Purpose(s): Wages, Salaries, Benefits
Committee to Elect Jane Doe reports the expenditure to reimburse ABC PAC:
Transaction Date: 3/15/2024
Transaction Type: Expenditure
Transaction Subtype: Cash Expenditure
Contributor/Payee: ABC PAC
Payment Method: Check
Check Number: 1001
Amount: $500.00
Transaction Purpose: Reimbursement for Personal Expenditure
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 61
ABC PAC receives the reimbursement from Committee to Elect Jane Doe:
Transaction Date: 3/20/2024
Transaction Type: Other Receipt
Transaction Subtype: Miscellaneous Other Receipt
Contributor/Payee: Committee to Elect Jane Doe
Amount: $500.00
Description: Reimbursement for personal expenditure
In some instances, a committee may make expenditure to its affiliated organization without it being considered
a personal expenditure. For example, if the affiliated organization of a committee has supplies on hand (not
specifically purchased for a campaign) the committee may purchase the supplies from the affiliated organization
without reporting a personal expenditure. This may also apply to occasional staff time the affiliated organization
may provide to the committee and merchant fees associated with credit card processing. However, these must
still be reported as cash expenditures.
Candidates Running as a Slate
Each candidate running for public office must establish their own Candidate Committee if they do not meet the
Exception to Creating a Candidate Committee on page 5. A candidate may designate only one political
committee as the candidate’s principal campaign committee. A political committee may not be designated as
the principal campaign committee of more than one candidate. A group of candidates running together as a
slate or as a ticket may not establish a Political Action Committee to support their slate or ticket in lieu of
establishing separate Candidate Committees.
Though running as a slate or ticket is not prohibited by Oregon election law, candidates should be aware of the
complexities this type of campaign can create for campaign finance reporting purposes. To ensure transparency,
the Elections Division recommends the following to candidates running as a slate or ticket:
→ Solicit contributions to each candidate instead of as a slate or ticket.
→ When soliciting contributions on behalf of other candidates be aware of the laws and rules for correct
reporting. See page 28 “Contributions Received by an Entity Other Than the Committee”
→ Each candidate should pay vendors directly for their portion of costs and if required, report Account
Payable transactions for orders placed.
Mileage
Expenditures made to pay a person for mileage are reported as transaction type Expenditure, subtype Cash
Expenditure and transaction purpose Travel Expenses. The transaction is required to include “Mileage” in the
Description field. Mileage is not reported as a personal expenditure for reimbursement.
When using campaign funds to pay an individual for use of the individual’s vehicle, the individual may be
paid for either mileage or expenses related to use of the vehicle (e.g., gas, maintenance), but not both.
There are some exceptions for reporting travel expenses incurred by someone other than the committee; see
Unreimbursed Travel Expenses on page 68 for more information.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 62
Reporting Credit/Debit Card Transactions
If a committee uses a credit or debit card issued to the committee for any expenditure, the committee must
report the charge as transaction type Expenditure and subtype Cash Expenditure. The payee is the entity paid
with the credit/debit card, not the credit card company. The date of the transaction is the date the credit/debit
card was used, not the date of the credit card or debit card statement or the date payment is made to the credit
card company.
The committee does not report any payments made directly to the credit card company except for
payment for interest, credit card fees or late payment penalties.
Fair Booths
If a committee rents a fair booth to distribute political material and the material is provided by another
committee or campaign, there is no reportable in-kind contribution for the distribution of the material or the
fair booth rental. However, if campaign material is produced by someone other than the committee or
campaign providing the material there may be a reportable in-kind contribution.
Fundraising Activities
If a contributor buys a ticket to attend a fundraising event and receives goods or services such as a dinner or a
round of golf, only the amount in excess of the fair market value of the goods or services is reported as a
contribution. The committee must determine the fair market value of the goods or services received by the
contributor and report that amount as transaction type Other Receipt and subtype Items Sold at Fair Market
Value.
Moneys received on a single day which qualify as Items Sold at Fair Market Value receipts may be totaled
and reported as one transaction.
The amount in excess of the fair market value is considered a contribution and is reported as subtype Cash
Contribution. The committee shall inform the contributor of the amount considered a cash contribution for
Oregon income tax credit purposes.
All expenses associated with the fundraising event are also required to be reported as cash expenditures, in-kind
contributions or personal expenditures for reimbursement, whichever is applicable.
Fundraising Dinners
A committee may organize a fundraising dinner with an established cost per person.
Money received to attend the dinner (up to the fair market value) is reported as transaction type Other Receipt,
subtype Items Sold at Fair Market Value. Any amount paid that exceeds the fair market value of the dinner is
reported as a Cash Contribution.
If the cost of the dinner is paid by the committee, the expenditures are reported as transaction subtype Cash
Expenditure. If the dinner is donated to the committee at no cost, the cost of the dinner is reported as
transaction subtype In-Kind Contribution. If the dinner is paid for by a person making personal expenditures that
wants reimbursement, those transactions are reported as transaction subtype Personal Expenditure for
Reimbursement.
If a contributor pays $50 to attend a fundraising dinner and the value of the dinner is $20, only $30 of the
payment for the dinner is reported as a contribution. The $20 for the dinner is reported as transaction
type Other Receipt because it is not considered a contribution.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 63
Fundraiser When Tickets are Sold through a Third Party
A committee may sell tickets to a fundraising event utilizing a business vendor. If the cost of the ticket is more
than the fair market value of the event, the committee must ensure that contributor information is collected. If
the aggregate amount of contributions from the contributor exceeds $100 for the calendar year, the contributor
information (name, address, and occupational information for an individual) must be disclosed. Any fee or
commission retained by the vendor is reported as transaction subtype Expenditure.
A committee holds a concert as a fundraising event. The ticket cost is $250; the fair market value is $100.
The vendor retains a 5% handling fee ($12.50).
There are three transactions to report:
→ Transaction Type: Contribution
Transaction Subtype: Cash Contribution
Amount: $150.00
→ Transaction Type: Other Receipt
Transaction Subtype: Items Sold at Fair Market Value
Amount: $100.00
→ Transaction Type: Expenditure
Transaction Subtype: Cash Expenditure
Amount: $12.50
Moneys received on a single day which qualifies as Items Sold at Fair Market Value receipts may be
totaled and reported as one transaction.
Expenditures made on a single day for the handling fee may be totaled and reported as one transaction.
Raffles
The Department of Justice regulates licensing for raffles. For licensing requirements and procedures, contact the
Department of Justice, Charitable Activities Section.
See Information Sources on pages 96- 97 for contact information for the Charitable Activities Section.
Money collected from the sale of raffle tickets is reported as transaction type Other Receipt and subtype Items
Sold at Fair Market Value, assuming that each raffle ticket is sold for the fair market value of the prize or less.
Any amount paid for a raffle ticket that exceeds the prize’s fair market value is reported as transaction type
Contribution, subtype Cash Contribution.
If the raffle prize is donated to the campaign, the prize is reported as an In-Kind Contribution. If the prize is
purchased with committee funds, the purchase of the prize is reported as transaction type Expenditure, subtype
Cash Expenditure.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 64
Auctions
A committee may conduct an auction as a fundraising activity. Items or services donated for the auction are
reported as in-kind contributions. The amount of the in-kind is based on the fair market value of the goods or
services. The amount of the winning bid, up to the fair market value, is reported as transaction type Other
Receipt and subtype Items Sold at Fair Market Value. The amount paid in excess of the fair market value of the
auction item is reported as a Cash Contribution.
On February 2, 2024, Jane Smith donates three nights at her beach house to the committee’s silent
auction. The fair market value is $450.00.
The In-Kind Contribution transaction is reported as follows:
Transaction Date: 2/2/2024
Transaction Type: Contribution
Transaction Subtype: In-Kind Contribution
Contributor/Payee: Jane Smith (address and occupational information is required because the aggregate
contributions from Jane have exceeded $100 in 2024)
Amount: $450.00
Transaction Purpose(s): Fundraising Event Expenses
Tom Johnson’s winning bid of $750 is reported by creating two transactions: the Cash Contribution transaction
in the amount of $300 and the Items Sold at Fair Market Value transaction in the amount of $450.
The Cash Contribution transaction is reported as follows:
Transaction Date: The date the committee receives the money from Tom, typically the date of the
auction
Transaction Type: Contribution
Transaction Subtype: Cash Contribution
Contributor/Payee: Tom Johnson (address and occupational information is required because the
aggregate contributions from Tom have exceeded $100 in 2024)
Amount: $300.00
The Items Sold at Fair Market Value transaction is reported as follows:
Transaction Date: The date the committee receives the money from Tom, typically the date of the
auction
Transaction Type: Other Receipt
Transaction Subtype: Items Sold at Fair Market Value
Contributor/Payee: This is not a required field when reporting Items Sold at Fair Market Value
Amount: $450.00
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 65
Fundraising Cautions
Giving Something of Value
With some exceptions, Oregon election law prohibits giving away a thing of value with the intent to influence
how a person votes or to influence how they engage in certain other political activities. Campaign buttons,
bumper stickers, posters, brochures, doorknob hangers and campaign literature have no use or value
independent of a political campaign and may be given away at no charge.
There are three elements that must be present for giving away a thing of value to constitute undue influence:
→ The item must be an item of value (see lists below);
→ The item must be advertised or otherwise promoted as available as an inducement; and
→ The inducement must be to get a person to take an action restricted by statute. See ORS 260.665 for a
full list of actions this applies to.
Therefore, political groups may sometimes give away a thing of value. To avoid undue influence, committees
should not advertise or promote giveaways. Another way to avoid undue influence is to make the item available
to everyone regardless of their support or opposition of the political issue.
Committees may give away t-shirts if the give-away is not advertised in any way, or if individuals are
eligible to receive a t-shirt regardless of whether they choose to register to vote at the table.
At a fundraising dinner where each guest is charged $50 to enter, the campaign may include on the
invitation a notice that all attendees will receive a t-shirt included in the purchase price.
It is allowable to provide door prizes at a fundraiser as long as the door prizes are not advertised as an
inducement to attend the fundraiser.
Items of nominal value include very inexpensive (i.e. fair market value of approximately $1.00 or less) types of:
balloons
flags (novelty with campaign
information)
small candy
bookmarks
ink pens
refrigerator magnets or “mini-
magnets”
calendars
key chains
return envelope*
eye-glass repair kits (of low value)
litterbags (paper or plastic)
rulers (small – wood or plastic)
emery boards
matchbooks
shopping bags (paper or plastic)
fans (paper or plastic)
pencils
bottled water
*Loose postage stamps may not be given away for free in a campaign context. Also, envelopes that are stamped but are blank as to a
return mailing address may not be given away for free. This is because this would make the envelope something of value, as it could be
used for other purposes by the recipient, whereas a pre-stamped and addressed envelope would merely facilitate the return of the
envelope to the campaign with no independent value.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 66
The distribution of these types of items is not “undue influence,” inducing the recipient to take a certain political
action in violation of election law, if the committee ensures:
→ only very small quantities of an item are given to any one person;
→ the distribution of the item is incidental to the political activity that occurs during the distribution ; and
→ the item does not also contain another connected offering for something of value (for example, the back
of a fan should not contain a coupon for $3.00 off a pizza).
Items that should not be used as an inducement (advertised as available for free in connection with a political
issue covered by ORS 260.665):
→ calculators;
→ flashlights;
→ frisbees;
→ hats;
→ postage stamps;
→ toys;
→ t-shirts; or
→ anything with a fair market value of approximately $1.00 or more.
If a committee advertises and gives away items of value, then the campaign must charge at least the cost of the
item. The money spent to purchase the items and the money received in payment for the items must be
reported in compliance with campaign finance regulations.
Providing Food and Refreshments at a Political Gathering
A common political practice is to have a "meet the candidate" neighborhood event at which incidental
refreshments such as coffee, tea and cookies may be served at no charge. Refreshments may be provided at a
political gathering for no charge if they are incidental to the event. Food or refreshments, at no charge, cannot
be the featured attraction to induce people to attend a political event (e.g., an advertisement that announces
“Join John Doe at a free spaghetti feed”).
If more food is served than what would be conservatively defined as incidental to the event, there must be a
charge for at least the actual cost of the food or refreshments if the food and refreshments are advertised.
The host may either: 1) charge for the cost of the food only (example A), or 2) charge a per plate/per person cost
in excess of the value of the food (example B). In the latter case, the amount collected in excess is considered a
campaign contribution.
Example A: “Join John Doe for spaghetti dinner, cost $3.50 per person.” ($3.50 is the actual cost of the
dinner.)
Example B: “Join John Doe for spaghetti dinner, cost $25 per person,” ($3.50 is the actual cost of the
dinner). Report each person as contributing the difference of $21.50.
Another related, frequently asked question is whether it is allowable to hold a “thank you/appreciation” event
after the election to honor political campaign volunteers, at which food and beverages will be provided and
small prizes may be awarded. This type of “thank you/appreciation event” is allowable and would not be
considered a violation of the “undue influence” law if the event is not used as an inducement for new volunteers
before the election to get the attendees to provide services or otherwise contribute to the campaign. Therefore,
the event must not be advertised or announced in any way before the election.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 67
Additionally, at the event the attendees must not be induced by the food, prizes, etc. to provide any further
services or make contributions to the campaign. In these specific, limited circumstances, the food served may go
beyond the “refreshment” category into pizza and such and the prizes may be of a bit more value than the
above listed nominal value items.
If the party is held prior to the election, caution must be taken to not include information about the
refreshments and possible prizes to induce a person to volunteer for the campaign. Contact the Elections
Division if you have questions about what may or may not be given away at a campaign event.
Non-Reportable Activities
There are some activities that are exempt from the definitions of contribution and expenditure and are not
required to be reported.
Publications and Television or Radio Commentaries
News stories, letters to the editor, commentaries, and editorials distributed through the facilities of a
broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication are not considered contributions
unless the facility is owned by a political committee. A publication must be published at regular intervals with
consistent circulation.
However, if a special publication is produced by a committee and the purpose is to support or oppose a
candidate, measure, political party, political action committee, or petition committee, any expenses associated
with the publication must be reported. This includes payment to an entity for the publication that is then
inserted into another publication for dissemination to the public, either for purchase or given away free of
charge.
If a person, other than a political committee, makes political expenditures that are “independent”, those
expenses may need to be reported. See pages 12- 13 Independent Expenditure Filers’ reporting requirements.
Volunteer Activities
Generally, volunteer activities are non-reportable. An individual may volunteer personal services to a committee
without making an in-kind contribution as long as the individual is not paid by anyone for performing the
services.
Corporate, Labor and Membership Organization Communications
Corporations, labor organizations, and membership organizations may communicate only with members,
shareholders, or employees without such activity being considered a contribution, as long as the labor or
membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing an election. A
political committee is not considered a membership organization. Communication must be reported if the
method of communication does not guarantee that named members, shareholders, or employees will be the
only recipients of the communication. For example, communications, such as billboards, cable TV ads, targeted
digital ads, robocalls to household numbers, or a double-sided postcard must still be reported.
Receptions
An individual may volunteer to hold a reception or provide coffee for a political committee. Costs incurred by
the individual who is using his or her residence, including a community room associated with the residence, for
invitations, food, and beverages provided at the reception are not reportable expenses.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 68
If more food is being served than what would be defined as incidental, there must be a charge equivalent to at
least the actual cost of the food or refreshments. Free food or refreshments cannot be the featured attraction to
induce people to attend the reception.
Legal and Accounting Services
Legal and accounting services provided free to a political committee are not reportable if:
→ the services are provided solely for the purpose of helping the campaign comply with ORS Chapter 260
(Campaign Finance Regulations, Election Offenses);
and
→ the person paying the individual performing the service is the regular employer of the individual
performing the service.
Legal representation in a lawsuit, in court, or in an administrative proceeding must be reported as it is
not for the purpose of ensuring compliance.
Unreimbursed Travel Expenses
Unreimbursed travel expenses incurred by an individual, including a candidate, made on behalf of a political
committee are not reportable. An individual working on a political committee’s campaign (including a candidate,
a paid staff member, or a volunteer) may voluntarily use the individual’s own funds to pay for transportation
expenses without making a contribution. This exception does not apply to lodging.
Vendor Discounts on Food and Beverages
A vendor of food or beverages may sell food or beverages to a committee at a discounted rate. The discount is
not a reportable in-kind contribution as long as the amount charged is at least equal to the vendor’s cost for the
food or beverage.
Use of Internet Services
Generally, electronic transmissions have no intrinsic monetary value. Sending email messages or adding links on
an existing webpage are not considered in-kind contributions or independent expenditures by a person
performing the email distributions or working on the websites. Further, if an existing email list is ordinarily given
away for free, then there is no in-kind contribution made by the entity giving away the list. But if there is
normally a fee charged to obtain the list, there is a reportable in-kind contribution.
Therefore, if the effort to produce a website, or to transmit an email, even to a large list of recipients, is
provided by an unpaid volunteer, and no money is spent to add hardware, software, hosting fees, domain
registration or internet access, or to acquire an email list, there is no reportable contribution.
If, however, a person or committee makes expenditures to provide the service (e.g., produce a website or
distribute an email), including wages or other payment to an individual or firm, those costs are reportable in-
kind contributions or personal expenditures. If a person or committee makes expenditures to produce a
website, boost a post on a social media platform, or transmit an email, those are reportable expenditures.
Transfer of Funds to Earn Interest
Transfers of funds between checking and savings accounts or for investment purposes are non-reportable
because the funds remain part of the committee’s assets.
See Other Disbursements page 45 and Other Receipts page 48 for information on how to report a loss or
gain on an investment.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 69
Return or Refund of Contributions
Contributions received by the committee and returned to the contributor within seven calendar days of receipt
without being deposited in the campaign account are non-reportable.
A contribution received by a committee subject to reporting contributions received during a legislative session
that is returned within two business days of receipt without being deposited in the campaign account also is
non-reportable.
Change for a Fundraiser
The withdrawal of money and the deposit of the money back to the committee’s account for the purpose of
making change at a fundraiser are non-reportable.
Debates
A candidate debate or forum for a state office, or a communication publicizing a candidate debate or forum for a
state office, is not a reportable in-kind contribution if candidates for the state office have been invited to
participate in the candidate debate or forum based on neutral criteria that are publicized in advance of the
invitation.
Any expenditures made by a broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication to
facilitate a debate or forum are not considered a contribution.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 70
ORESTAR Account Summary
When a user accesses the campaign finance section of the committee’s Private Workshop, the first page that
displays is the committee’s Account Summary for the current year. The Account Summary represents the total
activity reported and filed by a committee in a calendar year. The figures on the Summary update with every
transaction filing. The Account Summary should be reviewed when a user logs into their Private Workshop to
affirm the line item totals are accurate. A description of certain line items and what the totals represent is found
below.
Contributions
Cash Contributions:
The total amount of cash contribution transactions filed in a calendar year.
Loans Received (non-exempt):
The total amount of loans received (non-exempt) transactions filed in a calendar year.
In-Kind:
The total amount of in-kind contributions filed in a calendar year.
Expenditures
Cash Expenditures:
The total amount of cash expenditure transactions filed in a calendar year.
Loan Payments (non-exempt):
The total amount of loan payment (non-exempt) transactions filed in a calendar year.
In-Kind:
This field does not indicate in-kind expenditure totals. Rather, it mirrors the amount listed as an in-kind
contribution to allow the Ending Cash Balance to calculate correctly.
Cash Balance
Other Receipts:
The total amount of other receipt transactions filed in a calendar year.
Loans Received (exempt):
The total amount of loans received (exempt) transactions filed in a calendar year.
Other Disbursements:
The total of other disbursement transactions filed in a calendar year.
Loan Payments (exempt):
The total amount of loan payment (exempt) transactions filed in a calendar year.
Balance Adjustments:
The total amount of cash balance adjustment and personal expenditure balance adjustment transactions filed in
a calendar year.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 71
Ending Cash Balance:
The ending cash balance amount should match the committee’s campaign bank account balance if all of the
transactions have been filed in ORESTAR and all contributions have been deposited and reported expenditures
have cleared the financial institution.
This amount, in most cases, should not be a negative amount. A negative amount is an indication that
transactions have not been filed by the committee or that the committee’s bank account balance is
overdrawn.
Financial Status
Accounts Receivable:
The total amount of outstanding miscellaneous account receivable transactions filed. This amount includes
proceeds that have not been but are expected to be collected by the committee. The balance will carry forward
to the next calendar year until the committee files transactions to resolve the balance.
Total Outstanding Loans:
The total amount of outstanding loans (exempt and non-exempt) filed. The balance will carry forward to the
next calendar year until the committee files transactions to resolve the outstanding balance.
Outstanding Personal Expenditures:
The total amount of outstanding personal expenditures. The amount is based on the total reported personal
expenditures for reimbursement and the total reported cash expenditures made from committee funds to
reimburse the person that made the personal expenditures. The balance will carry forward to the next calendar
year until the committee files transactions to resolve the outstanding balance.
This amount should not be a negative amount. A negative amount may possibly be an indication that
personal expenditures for reimbursement have not been correctly reported. See pages 38 - 41 for an
example of how to report personal expenditures.
Accounts Payable:
The total amount of accounts payable transactions. The balance will carry forward to the next calendar year
until the committee files transactions to resolve the outstanding balance.
Balance Deficit:
The amount is calculated by taking the cash balance amount, adding the account receivable amount, then
subtracting the outstanding loans, outstanding personal expenditures and account payable amounts.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 72
ORESTAR Aggregates
Calculating a Transaction’s Calendar Year Aggregate
The calendar year aggregate is the total amount of contributions received from one contributor or the total
amount of expenditures paid to the same payee during a calendar year (January 1 – December 31). When the
calendar year aggregate for a contributor or payee exceeds $100, the committee must disclose at least the
name, address, and occupational information (if any) for contributors or, for payees, the name and city and state
where the payee is located. The Elections Division encourages committees to collect occupational information
for a contributor regardless of the amount of the contribution.
Committees that allow ORESTAR to track and calculate the calendar year aggregate totals for contributors and
payees must enter every contribution and expenditure. ORESTAR determines whether the contribution or
expenditure detail should be disclosed or included in the appropriate “miscellaneous $100 and under” category.
It automatically populates the calendar year aggregate for the contributor or payee on each transaction.
Opting Out of the System Calculated Aggregate
A committee can opt out of the system-calculated aggregates, but if a committee chooses to opt out, the
committee is required to enter a calendar year aggregate amount for each transaction if the calendar year
aggregate for that contributor/payee exceeds $100.
The calendar year aggregate for a contributor includes cash contributions, non-exempt loans received, co-signer
obligations (except obligations of the candidate’s spouse), and in-kind contributions. The calendar year
aggregate does not include outstanding loans carried over from a prior calendar year. The amount of a non-
exempt loan received or co-signer obligation is part of the contributor’s calendar year aggregate until the loan is
repaid in full.
The calendar year aggregate for a payee must include accounts payable, cash expenditures, non-exempt loan
payments, and personal expenditures for reimbursement.
Detailed contributor or payee information is not disclosed until the aggregate contributions from a single
contributor or aggregate expenditures to a single payee exceed $100 in a calendar year. If a committee “opts
out” of the system-calculated aggregate for a calendar year, it may not “opt in” until the next calendar year. If a
committee chooses to opt back in to the system the following year, it must do so prior to entering any
transactions in ORESTAR for the new calendar year.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for information on opting out of the system-calculated
aggregate.
A committee that “opts out” of the ORESTAR system-calculated aggregate or uses software other than ORESTAR
to generate and upload transactions must ensure that the data accurately reports all contributor/payee
information for:
→ Any contribution over $100. Also, for those contributors whose aggregate contributions have exceeded
$100 in the calendar year, the committee must disclose in detail (i.e., name, address, and occupational
information) all contributions (including those of $100 or less) from that date forward;
→ Any expenditure over $100. Also, for those payees whose aggregate expenditures have exceeded $100 in
the calendar year, the committee must disclose in detail (i.e., name, address) all expenditures (including
those of $100 or less) from that date forward;
and
→ Any non-exempt loan received or non-exempt loan payment, regardless of the amount.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 73
All contributions from contributors and expenditures made to payees whose aggregate has not exceeded $100
for the calendar year must be combined and listed in the appropriate miscellaneous category, based on the
transaction subtype and transaction date. Miscellaneous contribution and expenditure category totals must be
calculated on a daily basis.
Calculating Expenditure Aggregates
On January 8, 2024, the committee makes a $50 cash expenditure to the payee, making the payee’s
calendar year aggregate $50.
The $50 will be included in “miscellaneous cash expenditures $100 and under” amount for January 8,
2024.
On February 23, 2024, the committee makes another $100 cash expenditure to the same payee, making
the payee’s calendar year aggregate $150. The second expenditure transaction will be disclosed in detail
because the aggregate for the payee has exceeded $100 in the calendar year and will display an aggregate
of $150.
The first transaction will remain in the “miscellaeous cash expenditures $100 and under” category.
Calculating Contribution Aggregates
On January 8, 2024, an individual makes a $75 in-kind contribution to a committee making the
contributor’s calendar year aggregate $75.
The $75 will be included in “miscellaneous in-kind contributions $100 and under” amount for January 8,
2024.
On February 23, 2024, the individual makes a $50 cash contribution to the same committee, making the
contributor’s calendar year aggregate $125. The second contribution transaction will be disclosed in detail
because the aggregate for the contributor has exceeded $100 in the calendar year.
The first transaction will remain in the “miscellaneous in-kind contributions $100 and under” category.
ORESTAR Address Book
ORESTAR has an Address Book which stores information about each contributor and payee associated with a
committee. The committee must create only one Address Book entry for each person. The entry includes the
person’s name and address. Do not list an address that is exempt from public disclosure. If the contributor’s
address is exempt from public disclosure; use another address where the contributor receives correspondence.
Occupational information is also required if the entry is associated with an individual.
Political committees or petition committees registered with the Oregon Elections Division are automatically
available to be added in each committee’s Address Book. To add registered committees into the committee’s
Address Book, start typing any part of a committee’s name in the Committee Name/ID field and a list will display
with possible matches. After a selection has been made the address of the committee will automatically
populate.
An Address Book record is required for each transaction subtype, with the exception of transaction subtypes
Interest/Investment Income, Items Sold at Fair Market Value, Nonpartisan Activity, Cash Balance Adjustment, or
Personal Expenditure Adjustment.
A committee must create only one entry in the committee’s ORESTAR Address Book even if a person is
both a contributor and payee.
See the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for instructions in creating, saving, editing, and
deleting Address Book entries.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 74
Address Book Type
For each Address Book entry, a type must be selected. The following address book types are available for
selection:
Business Entity
This includes for-profit and professional corporations, cooperatives, partnerships, limited liability companies,
and sole proprietorships, etc.
Candidate & Immediate Family
This includes the candidate, the candidate’s spouse and any child, parent, grandparent, brother, half-brother,
sister, or half-sister of the candidate, and the spouses of such persons, but does not include family members of
the candidate’s spouse.
Individual
Labor Organization
Other
This includes clubs, associations, nonprofit corporations, tribal organizations, post office, governmental entities
and trusts.
Political Committee
This includes committees filed in the State of Oregon or any other jurisdiction, including candidate committees,
petition committees, and political action committees (e.g., miscellaneous committee, measure committee, recall
committee, and caucus committee).
Political Party Committee
This includes a committee established by a major or minor political party in Oregon, including county central
committees. This does not include a caucus committee.
Unregistered Committee
This includes a committee that is not registered with the Oregon State Elections Division. This includes out-of-
state committees and federal committees.
Enforcement Procedures and Civil Penalties
The following are enforcement actions for transactions that are not submitted by the deadline or for certain
campaign finance activities that do not comply with ORS Chapter 260.
Criminal penalties may apply if a transaction verified as true by the treasurer or candidate is knowingly
submitted with false information. See ORS 260.715(1) for additional information.
Inspection of Accounts and Retention of Records
ORS 260.055 and 260.200
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 75
Inspection of Accounts of Contributions and Expenditures
Accounts kept by a committee or independent expenditure filer may be inspected under reasonable
circumstances at any time before the election to which the accounts refer or during the period of retention by
any candidate or treasurer of any committee active in the same electoral contest. The right of inspection may be
enforced by writ of mandamus issued by any court of competent jurisdiction. The Elections Division and other
elections filing officers have no role in these requests made by candidates or treasurers.
Oregon election law requires all accounts of contributions and expenditures to be current not later than
seven business days after the contribution is received or expenditure is made. Failure to do so may subject
the committee to civil penalties.
Retention of Records
Committees and independent expenditure filers must preserve and retain supporting documentation for each
transaction required to be filed or for transactions occurring when a committee has filed a Certificate of Limited
Contributions and Expenditures. Documentation must be kept for at least two years after the date the
transaction is filed, or if a committee has filed a Certificate, two years after the date of the transaction. This
records retention requirement also applies to a candidate that is exempt from forming a candidate committee; a
record must also be retained for two years after the date the record was created. Documentation consists of:
→ copies of all contribution checks, money orders, credit card, and electronic transfers (including the use of
online or web-based collection of contributions), and all documentation regarding contributors;
→ copies of all correspondence relating to the campaign’s financial activity;
→ currency and coin count sheets or copies of bank deposit tickets which show cash deposits;
→ original receipts and invoices for all expenditures, including personal expenditures for reimbursement;
→ copies of all checks issued on the committee’s dedicated campaign account, including cancelled and
voided checks;
→ statements and records of all investments and investment accounts held by the committee;
→ payroll records and tax reports;
→ electronic transaction documents;
and
→ a copy of any letter or email sent to a contributor requesting occupational information.
Additionally:
→ Bank statements must be retained for at least two years after the date the statement is issued by the
financial institution.
→ A written loan agreement must be retained for at least two years after the loan transaction is filed or until
the loan is repaid, whichever is later.
In addition to the records mentioned above, the chief petitioners of any state initiative or referendum
petition who compensate petition circulators, either directly or indirectly (through an agent), are also
required to maintain detailed accounts. See OAR 165-014-0100 for additional information.
Any information relating to a committee’s dedicated campaign account, such as the name of the financial
institution, the account number and any other personal identification printed on a financial institution
statement (e.g., social security number, taxpayer identification number or employee identification
number) are exempt from public disclosure.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 76
Examination of Transactions by the Elections Division
ORS 260.205
After the deadline for filing a transaction or after a transaction is filed, whichever is later, the Elections Division
has 10 business days to review the transaction and determine whether the transaction includes all of the
required information required by law. If the Elections Division determines that a transaction is missing required
information, the filer is notified of the insufficiency in an Exam letter sent via email which provides a deadline to
correct the identified insufficiencies. If the filer determines that a transaction needs to be corrected, the filer
must take action to amend the transaction.
The treasurer, candidate, alternate transaction filer, correspondence recipient, and independent expenditure
filer are sent an Exam letter via email that either indicates the transaction is sufficient or identifies any of the
transaction’s insufficiencies that need to be corrected. An Exam letter must be completed and emailed not later
than the 10 business day review deadline. The Exam letter includes a deadline for providing amendments to
correct any insufficient information. The deadline is 14 business days from the date of the Exam letter, or the
due date for a transaction, whichever is later. Persons associated with a committee and an independent
expenditure filer should check their email or the ORESTAR Documents tab for Exam letters on a regular basis.
Amending Transactions
A transaction may be amended by filing an amendment to the transaction in ORESTAR. An amended transaction
may be filed at any time. An amended transaction must be filed if some element of the previously filed
transaction is inaccurate or identified as insufficient.
If the filer is notified on an Exam letter that a transaction is insufficient, the filer must file an amended
transaction to correct any identified insufficiency. If the amended transaction is filed by the deadline provided in
the Exam letter, and the insufficiency is corrected, the transaction will be considered sufficient and no penalty is
assessed.
If the filer believes that the transaction is sufficient the Elections Division should be contacted via a phone call or
email explaining why the transaction is sufficient. See ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing for instructions
on how to file amended transactions.
If the candidate, treasurer, or independent expenditure filer fails to provide the information requested in
the Exam letter by the amendment deadline, they or the civil penalty designee may be subject to a civil
penalty.
Not later than 90 calendar days after an amended transaction is filed, the Elections Division will examine the
amended transaction and send an Amendment Review Notification letter to the candidate, treasurer, alternate
transaction filer, correspondence recipient, and independent expenditure filer. If an amended transaction is
insufficient, that transaction may be subject to a civil penalty.
Exam and Amendment Review Notification letters are sent using the email addresses provided by the candidate,
treasurer, alternate transaction filer, and correspondence recipient on the committee’s current Statement of
Organization and to the email address provided in independent expenditure filer’s user profile.
If the email (with the attached Exam or Amendment Review Notification letter) is returned as
undeliverable for any reason, such as the email address has not been updated in the Statement of
Organization, or the user has a spam blocker protecting the address which results in non-delivery of the
email, or any other reason outside of the Elections Division’s control, the committee may be found in
violation for filing an insufficient transaction.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 77
Complaints Regarding Late or Insufficient Transactions
ORS 260.205
Any elector may file a written complaint with the Elections Division alleging that a transaction is insufficient or
that a person has failed to file a transaction. The complaint should state the reasons for believing that a
transaction is late or insufficient and include documentation or evidence to support the allegation. The
complaint must be in writing, must be signed, and filed no later than 90 calendar days after the date the
relevant transaction is filed or should have been filed, whichever is later. A complaint may be filed electronically
at sos.oregon.gov/investigation. Anonymous complaints will not be investigated.
Subpoena Authority
ORS 260.218
The Elections Division, in reviewing contribution and expenditure transactions, may issue subpoenas to compel
the committee to produce records, documents, books, papers, memoranda, or other information necessary to
determine the sufficiency of transactions filed.
If a person fails to comply with a subpoena, a judge of the circuit court of any county shall, on application of the
Elections Division, compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the
requirements of a subpoena issued from the circuit court.
Court Proceedings to Compel Filing of Correct Statements
ORS 260.225
The Secretary of State, an elections filing officer, or an elector may file a petition in the circuit court to compel
committees to file contribution and expenditure transactions. The petition must be filed in the circuit court for
the county in which the principal office of the appropriate elections filing officer is located.
If the court determines that the petition filed is frivolous or the court does not compel the filing of any
transaction, the candidate, treasurer, or person against whom the petition was filed is entitled to recover
reasonable attorney fees for trial and appeal expenses.
Civil Penalties for Failure to File Timely or Sufficient Transactions
ORS 260.232
The Secretary of State may impose civil penalties for failure to file a timely or sufficient transactions or a
Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures. See Payment Liability for Civil Penalties on page 86 for
who is responsible for payment of a civil penalty that has been imposed for any late or insufficient filing.
The maximum penalty that may be imposed by statute is 10% of the amount of each late or insufficient
transaction. The Secretary of State has established penalty matrices that are used to calculate penalties for late
and insufficient transactions. The penalty calculation is based on the amount of the transaction and the number
of business days the transaction is submitted late. See the Penalty Matrix: Late Filings, pages 80 - 81 and Penalty
Matrix: Insufficient Filings pages 82 - 83
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 78
Complaints Regarding Other Election Law Violations
ORS 260.345
Any elector may file a written complaint with the Elections Division alleging that a violation of an election law or
rule adopted by the Secretary of State has occurred. The complaint should state the reasons for believing that
the violation occurred and include documentation or evidence to support the allegation. The complaint must be
in writing, must be signed, and filed no later than 90 calendar days after the election at which the violation is
alleged to have occurred or 90 calendar days after the violation itself is alleged to have occurred, whichever is
later. A complaint may be filed electronically at sos.oregon.gov/investigation. Anonymous complaints will not
be investigated.
Contributions in False Name
ORS 260.402
It is a criminal offense to make a contribution relating to a candidate, measure, political committee, or petition
committee in any name other than the person who provides the contribution (i.e., a contribution in a false
name). Likewise, it is illegal to knowingly receive a contribution in a false name or enter it into a committee’s
account.
A violation of contribution in a false name is a class C felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment
and/or a $125,000 fine.
Prohibited Personal Use of Campaign Funds
ORS 260.407
Campaign funds may not be converted to any person’s personal use. The Secretary of State may impose a
penalty of $1,000 for each violation of personal use, plus the amount converted to personal use. Campaign
funds may not be used to pay any penalty imposed for a violation of ORS 260.407; the penalty must be paid
from the personal funds of the person found in violation per ORS 260.995(9). See page 56 for information on
what constitutes Prohibited Use of a Committee’s Campaign Funds.
Campaign Funds May Not be Used to Pay a Candidate for
Professional Services
ORS 260.409
A candidate committee may not use campaign funds to make expenditures to or on behalf of a candidate for the
rendering of professional services by the candidate. The Secretary of State may impose a penalty under OAR
165-013-0010 if a candidate is found in violation of this statute. The penalty for a violation of ORS 260.409 may
be paid from any source except the candidate’s committee funds.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 79
Civil Penalties for Other Campaign Finance Violations
ORS 260.995
The Secretary of State may impose civil penalties for certain campaign finance violations in addition to late or
insufficient transactions. Other campaign finance violations include:
→ failure to file a Statement of Organization not later than three business days after receiving a contribution
or making an expenditure;
→ failure to file an amended Statement of Organization not later than 10 calendar days after a change in
information;
and
→ failure to establish a dedicated campaign account not later than three business days after receiving a
contribution or making an expenditure.
The maximum penalty for each violation of these offenses is $1,000, except for personal use of campaign funds
by a person which carries a penalty of $1,000, plus the amount of funds wrongfully converted. Campaign funds
may not be used to pay any penalty assessed for a violation of personal use of campaign funds or a violation for
using campaign funds to pay a candidate for professional services.
Refer to OAR 165-013-0010 for specific penalties and procedures.
Legislative Assembly Not Subject to Civil Process During Session
Article IV, §9, Oregon Constitution
Article IV, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution provides that State Senators and State Representatives shall not
be subject to any civil process during any session of the Legislative Assembly. Therefore, members of the
Legislative Assembly will not be subject to the civil penalty process during a legislative session. The civil penalty
process, if any, will resume after final adjournment (Sine Die).
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 80
Penalty Matrix: Late Filings
Late Filing Defined
Penalties may be assessed for:
→ a contribution or expenditure transaction that is filed after its due date; or
→ a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures (PC 7) filed after its due date.
A transaction is considered late in any of the following circumstances:
→ A transaction is not filed by the due date for the transaction.
→ A change is made to the name of the contributor or payee after the transaction due date, resulting in a
different contributor or payee being associated with the transaction. The transaction is considered late
from the transaction due date to the date the amended transaction changing the contributor or payee is
filed.
→ A change is made to the date of the transaction resulting in a due date that is prior to the date the
transaction was originally filed. The transaction is considered late from the date the transaction should
have been filed to the date the transaction was originally filed.
→ A change (increase or decrease) is made to the amount of a previously filed transaction after the
transaction due date. The amount of the change is late from the transaction due date to the date the
amended transaction changing the amount is filed.
→ A previously reported transaction is deleted after the transaction due date. The transaction is considered
late from the transaction due date to the date the transaction deletion is filed.
→ A cash balance adjustment transaction is filed because the committee is unable to reconcile the
calculated cash balance based on transactions filed with the Secretary of State with the committee’s bank
balance.
→ A personal expenditure balance adjustment transaction is filed because the committee is unable to
reconcile the calculated outstanding personal expenditure balance based on the transactions filed with
the Secretary of State.
→ The transaction type is amended from any transaction type other than a contribution or expenditure to a
contribution or expenditure, and the original transaction was filed after the deadline. The transaction is
considered late from the transaction due date to the date the original transaction is filed.
Exceptions to What Constitutes a Late Filing
If a candidate committee, political action committee, or petition committee receives updated information that
an in-kind contribution received from another committee and reported in a transaction is inaccurate or
otherwise insufficient, the committee that received the in-kind contribution must file an amended transaction.
The amended transaction may be filed without penalty if it is filed not later than the date that the transaction is
required to be filed, or if the filing deadline has passed, not later than 30 calendar days after the committee
received the updated information. This applies only to an in-kind contribution that needs to be deleted, or to a
change to the date, amount, or contributor name associated with the transaction. If an amendment to the in-
kind contribution transaction must be filed, the committee must detail the reason for the changes in the Notes
field of the transaction.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 81
This exception does not apply to a candidate committee, political action committee, or petition committee that
knew, or reasonably should have known, that the information reported in the transaction was inaccurate or
insufficient at the time of filing. The exception also does not apply:
→ to an original in-kind contribution transaction that is filed late;
→ to an amended in-kind contribution transaction which results in an insufficiency of the transaction;
→ if the in-kind contributor name is amended from a committee to a person;
or
→ if the in-kind contributor name is amended from a person to a committee.
Warning: Criminal penalties may apply if transactions verified as true by the candidate or treasurer are
knowingly submitted with false information.
Penalties
The penalty for a late transaction is ½% of the amount of the transaction or ½% of the amount of the change (for
an increase or decrease in transaction amount) multiplied by the number of business days the transaction is
filed late.
$1,000.00 X ½% X 16 business days = $80.00
The penalty for a late Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures is $17.50 for each business day the
Certificate is filed late.
The penalty for a cash balance adjustment transaction or personal expenditure balance adjustment transaction
is 10% of the amount of the transaction.
If, after receiving the proposed penalty notice, the committee or independent expenditure filer determines that
a transaction date was incorrectly reported thereby reducing the number of business days the transaction is
filed late, there may be a reduction in the proposed civil penalty if the transaction is amended to correct the
date. In order to qualify for a reduction in the civil penalty, the person must file the amended transaction no
later than the deadline to request a hearing. If a hearing is requested, the amendment may be submitted up to
the date of the hearing.
If the recalculated penalty reduces the penalty to less than $75, no penalty will be imposed and no violation
found.
Maximum Penalties
The maximum penalty for each late transaction, except for a change in transaction amount, is 10% of the
amount of the transaction. The maximum penalty for a change in transaction amount is 10% of the net change
or 10% of the current transaction amount, whichever is less.
The maximum penalty for a late Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures is $350.
Waiver of Penalty and Violation
If a transaction is late as a direct result of an error by the Elections Division, the violation is waived and no
penalty is assessed. For example, if an error by the Elections Division resulted in a three day delay but the
transaction was filed five days late, only the last two days would be enforced as a violation.
For any committee subject to reporting contributions during a legislative session, if a transaction is late and
should have been filed during the three business day grace period for filing an original Statement of
Organization, the violation is waived and no penalty is assessed, as long as the transaction is filed within five
business days from receiving the contribution.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 82
Penalty Matrix: Insufficient Filings
Insufficient Filings Defined
A transaction is insufficient when a contribution (cash, in-kind, or loan received) or expenditure (cash
expenditure, loan payment, personal expenditure, or account payable) is missing one or more of the following
items of required information or an item of information provided is not sufficient:
→ contributor’s name;
→ contributor’s address (not including zip code);
→ contributor’s occupational information;
→ name of payee;
→ payee’s address (city and state);
→ purpose of expenditure;
or
→ terms of loan made or received.
After the deadline for filing a transaction or after a transaction is filed, whichever is later, the Elections Division
has 10 business days to review the transaction and determine whether the transaction includes all of the
information required by law.
The treasurer, candidate, alternate transaction filer, correspondence recipient, and independent expenditure
filer are sent an Exam letter via email that either indicates the transaction is sufficient or identifies any of the
transaction’s insufficiencies that need to be corrected. The letter includes a deadline for providing amendments
to correct any insufficient information.
See Amending Transactions on page 76.
The deadline to amend an insufficient transaction is 14 business days from the date of the Exam letter, or
14 business days from the due date for a transaction, whichever is later.
If the requested information is filed by the amendment deadline provided in the Exam letter and is deemed
sufficient, there is no penalty for insufficiency. If the candidate, treasurer or independent expenditure filer fails
to provide the information requested in the Exam letter by the amendment deadline, the person required to
correct the insufficiency will be subject to a penalty.
Not later than 90 calendar days after an amended transaction is filed, the Elections Division will examine the
amended transaction and send an Amendment Review Notification letter to the committee. If an amended
transaction is filed and is insufficient, that transaction may result in a civil penalty.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 83
Penalties
The penalty is $10 per item for all missing or insufficient items, except for the failure to provide the terms of a
loan made or received, which is 1% of the loan amount.
Omitted or insufficient information submitted after the amendment deadline but prior to the deadline for a
candidate, treasurer, or independent expenditure filer to request a hearing will result in a 50% per item
reduction of the penalty, if the information is deemed sufficient. If a hearing is requested, the omitted or
insufficient information may be submitted up to the date of the hearing, and if deemed sufficient, will result in a
50% per item reduction of the penalty.
Maximum Penalties
The maximum penalty for each insufficient transaction is 10% of the amount of the transaction or $10,
whichever is less.
Waiver of Penalty and Violation
If an insufficiency is the direct result of an error by the Elections Division, the violation is waived and no penalty
is assessed.
If the total penalty for a case is less than $75, a proposed penalty notice will not be issued and there will be no
violation found.
Contested Case Procedures
ORS 260.232
Late and insufficient violations are processed by calendar month. Each case for a given month will include any
transactions that are filed late and/or any insufficient transactions that are not sufficiently corrected by the
exam response due date in that particular month. Laws, administrative rules, and the campaign finance manual
in effect at the time the transaction is filed or, if the transaction is insufficient, in effect on the deadline to
respond to the insufficiency will be enforced and govern campaign finance reporting requirements. Generally,
cases for a particular month are reviewed and generated approximately three months after the end of a month.
If the total calculated penalty for a case is less than $75, a proposed penalty notice will not be issued.
Issuance of Proposed Penalty Notice
If the Secretary of State determines that a committee or independent expenditure filer is in violation of Oregon
election law because late and/or insufficient transactions were filed or a Certificate of Limited Contributions and
Expenditures is filed late, and the total calculated penalty is $75 or more, the Elections Division will create a case
and deliver by first class mail or by email a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty (proposed penalty notice) to the
individual who is liable for the violations. The notice is sent to:
→ the treasurer of a political action committee or petition committee, or if applicable, the civil penalty
designee;
→ the candidate of a candidate committee and the designated treasurer of a candidate committee; or
→ an independent expenditure filer.
The notice informs the liable individual of the potential penalty and provides an opportunity to request a
hearing if there is a mitigating circumstance that directly caused the late or insufficient filing.
A hearing request can be filed only by the person subject to the civil penalty, or an attorney representing
the person.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 84
Mitigating Circumstances
The Elections Division will consider mitigating circumstances claimed by a committee. If the mitigating
circumstances are presented with a hearing request, the Elections Division will consider them and will refer the
case to the Office of Administrative Hearings if the Division does not agree. If received after 20 days, but before
30 days after the service date of the notice of proposed civil penalty, the Division will still consider the
circumstances, but the committee will no longer be eligible for a hearing. If the Division determines that the
committee has presented valid mitigating circumstances, the penalties at issue will be waived or reduced
without a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
The only mitigating circumstances that may be considered in a late or insufficient filing case are:
→ The lateness or insufficiency of a transaction is the direct result of clearly-established fraud,
embezzlement, or other criminal activity against the committee, committee treasurer, candidate,
alternate transaction filer, or independent expenditure filer, as determined in a criminal or civil action in a
court of law or independently corroborated by a report of a law enforcement agency or insurer, or the
sworn testimony or affidavit of an accountant or bookkeeper or the person who actually engaged in the
criminal activity. This mitigating circumstance does not apply to the candidate, treasurer, alternate
transaction filer, or independent expenditure filer who was the perpetrator of the wrongdoing described
above.
If the criminal or civil action in a court of law results in a monetary judgment (including restitution)
in favor of the candidate or committee treasurer, the Elections Division civil penalty must be paid if
the judgment is collected.
→ The lateness or insufficiency of a transaction is the direct result of fire, flood, utility failure, or other
calamitous event, resulting in physical destruction of, or inaccessibility to campaign finance records.
“Calamitous event” means a phenomenon of an exceptional character, the effects of which could
not have been reasonably prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight.
→ The lateness or insufficiency of a transaction is the direct result of failure of a professional delivery service
to deliver documents in the time guaranteed for delivery by written receipt of the service provider. This
does not include delivery by fax.
→ The lateness or insufficiency of a transaction is the direct result of an error by the elections filing officer.
The “elections filing officer” means the Secretary of State, Elections Division.
One additional circumstance that will only be considered in a late filing case is:
→ The lateness of a transaction is the direct result of a valid personal emergency of the candidate, treasurer,
alternate transaction filer, or independent expenditure filer. In this case, independent written verification
must be provided.
A valid personal emergency is an emergency, such as a serious personal illness or death in the
immediate family of the candidate, treasurer, alternate transaction filer, or independent
expenditure filer which caused the transaction to be late. Personal emergency does not include a
common cold or flu, or a long-term illness where other arrangements could have been made.
Only the circumstances listed above, if proven, may be considered in reducing a penalty. When mitigating
circumstances are applied, they apply only to transactions where the specific circumstance(s) directly caused the
lateness or insufficiency. Committees must identify all transactions affected within 30 days.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 85
Waiver of Penalty and Violation
If a transaction is late or insufficient as the direct result of an error by the elections filing officer, the violation is
waived and no penalty is assessed.
Responding to Proposed Penalty Notice
When an individual receives a proposed penalty notice, they can either:
→ choose to pay the penalty;
→ wait until the Election Division issues a default final order assessing the civil penalty;
→ claim an applicable mitigating circumstance as defined in this manual;
or
→ contest the charges by either submitting notarized testimony, or requesting an in-person or telephone
hearing with an administrative law judge.
A hearing request can be filed only by the person subject to the civil penalty, or an attorney
representing the person.
Paying the Civil Penalty
If the person chooses to pay the penalty:
→ Payment may be submitted by check made payable to the Secretary of State;
→ Payment may be made by credit card over the phone;
→ Payment may be mailed to the Elections Division, at any time after the proposed penalty notice is issued,
but must be received not later than 70 calendar days after the service date of the default final order;
or
→ If necessary, the person may contact the Elections Division to discuss payment plan options.
Contest the Charges by Requesting a Hearing
To contest the charges, the person must submit a signed Hearing Request Form (SEL 851) and an answer to the
violations pursuant to applicable Oregon administrative rules and/or Oregon Revised Statutes; the request and
answer must be received by the Elections Division not later than 20 calendar days after the service date on the
proposed penalty notice.
If the Elections Division receives the signed and sufficient Hearing Request Form, the case will referred to the
Office of Administrative Hearings. The process outlined in the applicable Oregon administrative rules and/or
Oregon Revised Statutes will be followed to conduct the hearing.
Final Orders
Final orders are issued after the deadline to request a hearing has passed or, if the charges were contested and
a hearing was conducted, after the administrative law judge issues a proposed order. If the final order assesses a
civil penalty, the liable party has 70 calendar days to pay the penalty. After the issuance of a final order the liable
party is entitled to judicial review of the order. Judicial review may be obtained by filing a petition for review
with the Oregon Court of Appeals within 60 calendar days of the service date of the order.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 86
Payment Liability for Civil Penalties
For political action committees or petition committees, the treasurer or civil penalty designee is personally liable
for penalties imposed for late or insufficient filings of contribution and expenditure transactions. For candidate
committees, the candidate is liable for penalties imposed. The independent expenditure filer is liable for
penalties imposed. While the persons named above are personally responsible for payment of any penalty
imposed, there is nothing that prohibits a penalty from being paid using committee funds or any other source.
Uncontested civil penalties may be paid at any time after receiving the proposed penalty notice, but are due no
later than 70 calendar days after the service date of a default final order or final order, unless an appeal is filed.
Payment is made to the Secretary of State. Payment may be made using a credit card by contacting the Elections
Division. Civil penalties are paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund.
Penalties for most campaign finance violations may be paid from any source. A penalty paid from
committee funds must be reported as an expenditure. Committee funds may not be used to pay penalties
for violations of ORS 260.407 (Prohibited Personal Use) or ORS 260.409 (Expenditures for Professional
Services Rendered by Candidate) or an equivalent provision of a county or city charter or ordinance.
Payment Liability for Penalty Imposed for Late Transactions or a Late
Certificate
For a political action committee or petition committee, the treasurer responsible for any late filing penalty is
the treasurer or the civil penalty designee (if applicable) of record (i.e., listed on the Statement of Organization
at the time the transaction is due).
For a candidate committee, the candidate is responsible for any late filing penalty, even if the late transaction or
certificate is filed by the designated treasurer.
For a filer of independent expenditures, the individual registered as the filer is responsible for any late filing
penalty.
The liability for the civil penalty remains with the treasurer or the civil penalty designee of a political
action committee and petition committee, and the candidate for a candidate committee, even if the late
transaction is filed by the designated alternate transaction filer.
Payment Liability for Penalty Imposed for Insufficient Transactions
For a political action committee or petition committee, the treasurer responsible for an insufficient filing
penalty is the treasurer who filed the transaction that was insufficient or the civil penalty designee applicable at
the time the insufficient transaction was filed by the treasurer.
For a candidate committee, the candidate is responsible for any insufficient filing penalty, even if the
insufficient transaction is filed by the designated treasurer.
For a filer of independent expenditures, the individual registered as the filer is responsible for any insufficient
penalty.
The liability for the civil penalty remains with the treasurer or the civil penalty designee of a political
action committee and petition committee, and the candidate for a candidate committee, even if the
insufficient transaction is filed by the designated alternate transaction filer.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 87
Payment Liability for Penalty Imposed for Cash Balance Adjustment or
Personal Expenditure Balance Adjustment Transactions
For a political action committee or petition committee, the treasurer responsible for a cash balance adjustment
or personal expenditure balance adjustment penalty is the treasurer who filed the adjustment transaction or the
civil penalty designee applicable at the time the balance adjustment transaction is filed.
For a candidate committee, the candidate is responsible for a cash balance adjustment penalty or personal
expenditure balance adjustment even if the adjustment transaction is filed by the designated treasurer.
The liability for the civil penalty remains with the treasurer or civil penalty designee of a political action
committee and petition committee, and the candidate for a candidate committee, even if the transaction
is filed by the designated alternate transaction filer.
While the individuals named in the paragraphs above are personally liable for payment of any penalty imposed,
the penalty may be paid from any source including committee funds.
Instructions for Completing Forms
Most forms can be filed electronically or by paper. Paper filings will be converted to an electronic document and
will become the official record.
Completing the Statement of Organization
(Original, Amendment, or Discontinuation)
This section explains the information required for each field of information on a Statement of Organization.
Some fields included in this section only apply to paper filings. There are three types of Statements of
Organization and they can be filed either online through ORESTAR or by using one of the following paper forms:
Form SEL 220: Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee;
Form SEL 221: Statement of Organization for Political Action Committee; and
Form SEL 222: Statement of Organization for Petition Committee.
For steps on filing the Statement of Organization electronically, refer to the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Statement
of Organization.
If any of the required information is incomplete or insufficient, the Elections Division will notify the committee
by phone, or in writing, including by email, of the deficiencies on the forms. The filing will not be processed or
considered filed until the required information is provided.
The committee address must be publicly disclosed. Do not list an exempt address. Committees should not
provide the address, phone number, or email address of a person who has obtained an exemption from
disclosure as a public record to minimize the risk of inadvertent disclosure.
Candidate Committee
Filing Type: Must indicate the filing type. To file a new committee, select Original. To make changes or update a
filing, select Amendment. To close the committee, select Discontinuation.
Name of Committee: Must provide the name of the committee and it must match the name of the bank
account.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 88
Committee Street Address: Do not use a post office box number. Must provide the street address of a
residence, office, headquarters, or similar location where the candidate or a responsible officer of the
committee can be located. The address must be in Oregon and must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an
exempt address.
Campaign Phone Number: May provide a phone number where a committee member can be reached. If
provided, the number must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an exempt phone number.
Name of Candidate: Must include at least the first and last name.
Candidate Address: Do not use a post office box number. Must provide the street address of a residence, office,
headquarters, or similar location where the candidate can conveniently be located.
Candidate Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the candidate wants to receive written
correspondence from the Elections Division.
Candidate’s Occupational Information: If not employed, a homemaker, retired, or a student, select Not
Employed. No further occupational information is required.
If self-employed, select Self-Employed and must provide the nature of the primary job of the candidate in the
Occupation field.
If employed by another person, must provide the nature of the primary job of the candidate in the Occupation
field. Must also provide the Employer’s Name, City and State in the appropriate fields.
See Occupational Information on page 30 for how the Elections Division defines occupation.
Candidate Phone and Fax Numbers: May provide a phone number where the candidate can be reached during
normal business hours. May provide the candidate’s fax number, if the candidate has one.
Candidate Email Address: Must provide an email address where the candidate can be reached.
Name of Treasurer: Must include at least the first and last name. The treasurer must be an Oregon elector.
Treasurer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the treasurer wants to receive written
correspondence from the Elections Division.
Treasurer Phone and Fax Numbers: May provide a phone number where the treasurer can be reached during
normal business hours. May provide the treasurer’s fax number, if the treasurer has one.
Treasurer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the treasurer can be reached.
Election Information: Designate the specific election in which the individual will be a candidate. A candidate
nominated at the primary election must amend the Statement of Organization to indicate participation in the
general election.
List the office sought by the candidate. Include the county, district, position, department, or zone number, if
applicable. If the office is unknown, indicate “unknown office”.
Party Affiliation: Must select the political party that indicates the candidate’s party affiliation even if the
candidate has been nominated by multiple political parties. A candidate running for a nonpartisan office should
not complete this section.
Committee Director: A committee director is any person who directly and substantially participates in decision-
making on behalf of the committee concerning the solicitation or expenditure of funds. If any person meets the
definition of a director they must be designated on the Statement of Organization. A candidate committee is
not required to have committee directors. The candidate is assumed to directly and substantially participate in
decision making on behalf of the committee and does not need to be designated as a director.
If two or more of the directors are also directors of another political committee, list the names of those directors
and the name and address of the other political committee.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 89
Name of Director: If a director is designated, must include at least the first and last name.
Director Address: Must provide the address of a residence, office, headquarters, post office box or similar
location where the director can conveniently be reached.
Director’s Occupational Information: If not employed, homemaker, retired, or a student, select Not Employed.
No further occupational information is required.
If self-employed, select Self-Employed and must provide the nature of the primary job of the director in the
Occupation field.
If employed by another person, must provide the nature of the primary job of the director in the Occupation
field. Must also provide the Employer’s Name, City and State in the appropriate fields.
See Occupational Information on page 30 for how the Elections Division defines occupation.
Director Phone: May provide a phone number where the director can be reached during normal business hours.
Name of Alternate Transaction Filer: Designating an alternate transaction filer is optional. If an alternate
transaction filer is designated, must include at least the first and last name. This is an individual designated to
file transactions but who does not have liability for late or insufficient transactions. If designated, this individual
must be someone other than the candidate or treasurer.
Alternate Transaction Filer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the alternate transaction filer
wants to receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Alternate Transaction Filer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the alternate transaction filer
can be reached.
Alternate Transaction Filer Phone: May provide a phone number where the alternate transaction filer can be
reached during normal business hours.
Name of Correspondence Recipient: Designating an individual as the correspondence recipient is optional. If a
correspondence recipient is designated, must include at least the first and last name. The individual designated
will receive notices and other correspondence issued by the Elections Division. If designated, this individual
must be someone other than the candidate or treasurer.
Correspondence Recipient Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the correspondence recipient
wants to receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Correspondence Recipient Email Address: Must provide an email address where the correspondence recipient
can be reached.
Correspondence Recipient Phone: May provide a phone number where the correspondence recipient can be
reached during normal business hours.
Other Election Activity: If the candidate is active at an election in which her or his name is not on the ballot,
indicate the type of activity.
See Active in an Election on page 17 for more information.
Name of Oregon Financial Institution: Must include the name of the Oregon financial institution where the
committee has established or expects to establish the committee bank account.
Name of Account: This must be identical to the official name of the committee.
Name of Account Holder: Must include the name of the candidate or the name of the committee. If the
candidate is an account holder, other individuals may also be listed as account holders, as long as they have
signature authority.
Names of Persons Who Have Signature Authority: The candidate and treasurer must be signers on the
campaign account. Other signatories may also be designated.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 90
Signatures of Candidate and Treasurer: A candidate and treasurer (if applicable) must sign and date each
Statement of Organization filed. In signing the Statement of Organization, the candidate and treasurer are
attesting they understand the potential liability of being a candidate or treasurer and that the information
provided is true and correct.
Political Action Committee
Filing Type: Must indicate the filing type. To file a new committee, select Original. To make changes or update a
filing, select Amendment. To close the committee, select Discontinuation.
Name of Committee: Must provide the name of the committee and it must match the name of the bank
account.
Committee Acronym: May provide an acronym of the committee’s name.
Committee Street Address: Do not use a post office box number. Must provide the street address of a
residence, office, headquarters, or similar location where the candidate or a responsible officer of the
committee can be located. The address must be in Oregon and must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an
exempt address.
Campaign Phone Number: May provide a phone number where a committee member can be reached. If
provided, the number must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an exempt phone number.
Name of Treasurer: Must include at least the first and last name. The treasurer must be an Oregon elector.
Treasurer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the treasurer wants to receive written
correspondence from the Elections Division.
Treasurer Phone and Fax Numbers: May provide a phone number where the treasurer can be reached during
normal business hours. May provide the treasurer’s fax number, if the treasurer has one.
Treasurer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the treasurer can be reached.
Committee Director: A committee director is any person who directly and substantially participates in decision-
making on behalf of the committee concerning the solicitation or expenditure of funds. If any person meets the
definition of a director they must be designated on the Statement of Organization. The treasurer of a political
action committee may also be listed as a director but must list at least one other director who is not the
treasurer. The officers of a political party shall be considered the directors of any political party committee of
that party and must be designated on the Statement of Organization, unless otherwise provided in the party’s
bylaws.
If two or more of the directors are also directors of another political committee, list the names of those directors
and the name and address of the other political committee.
Name of Director: Must include at least the first and last name.
Director Address: Must provide the address of a residence, office, headquarters, post office box or similar
location where the director can conveniently be reached.
Director’s Occupational Information: If not employed, homemaker, retired, or a student, select Not Employed.
No further occupational information is required.
If self-employed, select Self-Employed and must provide the nature of the primary job of the director in the
Occupation field.
If employed by another person, must provide the nature of the primary job of the director in the Occupation
field. Must also provide the Employer’s Name, City and State in the appropriate fields.
See Occupational Information on page 30 for how the Elections Division defines occupation.
Director Phone: May provide a phone number where the director can be reached during normal business hours.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 91
Name of Alternate Transaction Filer: Designating an alternate transaction filer is optional. If an alternate
transaction filer is designated, must include at least the first and last name. This is an individual designated to
file transactions but who does not have liability for late or insufficient transactions. If designated, this individual
must be someone other than the treasurer. The individual may also be a director or civil penalty designee.
Alternate Transaction Filer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the alternate transaction filer
wants to receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Alternate Transaction Filer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the alternate transaction filer
can be reached.
Alternate Transaction Filer Phone: May provide a phone number where the alternate transaction filer can be
reached during normal business hours.
Name of Correspondence Recipient: Designating an individual as the correspondence recipient is optional. If a
correspondence recipient is designated, must include at least the first and last name. The individual designated
will receive notices and other correspondence issued by the Elections Division. If designated, this individual
must be someone other than the treasurer. The individual may also be a director or civil penalty designee.
Correspondence Recipient Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the correspondence recipient
wants to receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Correspondence Recipient Email Address: Must provide an email address where the correspondence recipient
can be reached.
Correspondence Recipient Phone: May provide a phone number where the correspondence recipient can be
reached during normal business hours.
Name of Civil Penalty Designee: Designating an individual as the civil penalty designee is optional. If a civil
penalty designee is designated, must include at least the first and last name. This individual must be an Oregon
elector and is liable for any civil penalty imposed for late or insufficient transactions. This individual must be
someone other than the treasurer and must agree to serve as civil penalty designee by signing a paper
Statement of Organization.
A Statement of Organization that has a civil penalty designee must be filed using the paper forms. The
completed forms can be printed, signed, and filed with the Elections Division. The forms may be mailed, faxed,
scanned and emailed to orestar-support.sos@sos.oregon.gov or hand delivered.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the civil penalty designee wants to
receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Email: Must provide an email address where the civil penalty designee can be reached.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Phone: May provide a phone number where the civil penalty designee can be reached
during normal business hours.
Nature of Political Action Committee: Must provide a description of the general nature of the committee.
Example
“Support all candidates and measures advocating health care for all.”
“Supports candidates that oppose tax increases.”
Controlled Committee Information: Must answer yes or no to the question. If yes, must identify the
candidate(s) that control the committee.
All caucus committees are controlled committees. A “controlled committee” is a political action committee that,
in connection with the making of contributions or expenditures:
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 92
→ is controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate or by another controlled committee;
or
→ acts jointly with a candidate or another controlled committee.
A candidate controls a political action committee if:
→ the candidate, the candidate’s agent, a member of the candidate’s immediate family, or any other
political committee that the candidate controls has a significant influence on the actions or decisions of
the political action committee;
or
→ the candidate’s committee and the political action committee both have the candidate or a member of
the candidate’s immediate family as a treasurer or director.
Type of Political Action Committee: Must identify the type of committee.
A “miscellaneous committee” is a committee that supports or opposes one or more of the following:
→ specific candidate(s);
→ entire ticket of a political party;
or
→ candidate(s) and measure(s).
A “caucus committee” is a committee affiliated with a caucus in either chamber of Oregon’s Legislative
Assembly.
A “recall committee” is a committee supporting or opposing a person subject to a recall election. A recall
committee cannot be formed until a recall election is certified to the ballot.
A “measure committee” is a committee that exclusively supports or opposes one or more measures that are
certified to the ballot. A measure committee must not contribute to candidates, miscellaneous committees,
political parties, caucus committees, recall committees, or fund independent expenditures in support of or in
opposition to candidates. If a measure committee wishes to make such expenditures, it must amend its
Statement of Organization to become a miscellaneous committee.
A “political party committee” is a major or minor political party qualified under ORS Chapter 248 or a committee
established by a major or minor party under party bylaws (e.g., county central committees).
Party Affiliation for Political Party Committees: Political party committees must identify the party the
committee is affiliated with.
Measure Information: If supporting or opposing a measure(s), must provide the measure number, indicate
support or opposition, and list the election at which the measure(s) will be voted on.
Recall Information: If supporting or opposing a recall(s), must provide the date of the special recall election,
indicate support or opposition of the recall, and identify the candidate(s) by listing their name, the name of the
office, and district or position number, if applicable.
“Support” means the committee supports the recall of the candidate and “oppose” means the committee
opposes the recall of the candidate (i.e., wants the candidate to remain in office).
Name of Oregon Financial Institution: Must include the name of the Oregon financial institution where the
committee has established or expects to establish the committee bank account.
Name of Account: This must be identical to the official name of the committee.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 93
Name of Account Holder: For a political action committee, the account holder must include the treasurer, or the
name of the committee or the affiliated organization that administers the account. If the treasurer is an account
holder, other individuals may also be listed as account holders, as long as they have signature authority.
Names of Persons Who Have Signature Authority: The treasurer must be a signer on the campaign account.
Other signatories may also be designated.
Signatures of Treasurer and Civil Penalty Designee: A treasurer must sign and date each Statement of
Organization filed. In signing the Statement of Organization, the treasurer is attesting they understand the
potential liability of being a treasurer and that the information provided is true and correct.
If a political action committee also has a civil penalty designee, an individual that accepts liability for any
penalty assessed for a late or insufficient transaction, that individual must also sign and date the
Statement of Organization.
Petition Committee
Filing Type: Must indicate the filing type. To file a new committee, select Original. To make changes or update a
filing, select Amendment. To close the committee, select Discontinuation.
Name of Committee: Must provide the name of the committee and it must match the name of the bank
account.
Committee Acronym: May provide an acronym of the committee’s name.
Committee Street Address: Do not use a post office box number. Must provide the street address of a
residence, office, headquarters, or similar location where the candidate or a responsible officer of the
committee can be located. The address must be in Oregon and must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an
exempt address.
Campaign Phone Number: May provide a phone number where a committee member can be reached. If
provided, the number must be publicly disclosable. Do not list an exempt phone number.
Name of Treasurer: Must include at least the first and last name. The treasurer must be an Oregon elector.
Treasurer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the treasurer wants to receive written
correspondence from the Elections Division.
Treasurer Phone and Fax Numbers: May provide a phone number where the treasurer can be reached during
normal business hours. Provide the treasurer’s fax number, if the treasurer has one.
Treasurer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the treasurer can be reached.
Name of Chief Petitioner(s): Must provide at least the first and last name of the chief petitioner(s). A recall
committee may only have one chief petitioner. The names must match the names listed on the prospective
petition.
Chief Petitioner(s) Address: Must provide the address of a residence, office, headquarters, post office box or
similar location where the chief petitioner can conveniently be reached.
Chief Petitioner(s) Phone Number: May provide a phone number where the chief petitioner(s) can be reached
during normal business hours.
Name of Alternate Transaction Filer: Designating an alternate transaction filer is optional. If an alternate
transaction filer is designated, must include at least the first and last name. This is an individual designated to
file transactions but who does not have liability for late or insufficient transactions. If designated, this individual
must be someone other than the treasurer. The individual may also be a director or civil penalty designee.
Alternate Transaction Filer Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the alternate transaction filer
wants to receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 94
Alternate Transaction Filer Email Address: Must provide an email address where the alternate transaction filer
can be reached.
Alternate Transaction Filer Phone: May provide a phone number where the alternate transaction filer can be
reached during normal business hours.
Name of Civil Penalty Designee: Designating an individual as the civil penalty designee is optional. If a civil
penalty designee is designated, must include at least the first and last name. This individual must be an Oregon
elector and is liable for any civil penalty imposed for late or insufficient transactions. This individual must be
someone other than the treasurer and must agree to serve as civil penalty designee by signing a paper
Statement of Organization.
A Statement of Organization that has a civil penalty designee must be filed using the paper forms. The
completed forms can be printed, signed, and filed with the Elections Division. The forms may be mailed, faxed,
scanned and emailed to orestar-support.sos@sos.oregon.gov or hand delivered.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Mailing Address: Must provide an address where the civil penalty designee wants to
receive written correspondence from the Elections Division.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Email: Must provide an email address where the civil penalty designee can be reached.
Civil Penalty Designee’s Phone: May provide a phone number where the civil penalty designee can be reached
during normal business hours.
Jurisdiction: Must indicate the jurisdiction where the prospective petition was filed.
Petition Information: Identify the type of petition (initiative, referendum, or recall) the committee is sponsoring.
For an initiative or referendum petition, must indicate the petition ID number assigned by the filing officer.
For a recall petition, must indicate the name of the office holder against whom the recall petition has been filed
and the name of the office, and district or position number, if applicable.
Name of Oregon Financial Institution: Must include the name of the Oregon financial institution where the
committee has established or expects to establish the committee bank account.
Name of Account: This must be identical to the official name of the committee.
Name of Account Holder: For a petition committee, the account holder must include the treasurer, or the name
of the committee or the affiliated organization that administers the account. If the treasurer is an account
holder, other individuals may also be listed as account holders, as long as they have signature authority.
Names of Persons Who Have Signature Authority: The treasurer must be a signer on the campaign account.
Other signatories may also be designated.
Signatures of Treasurer and Civil Penalty Designee: A treasurer must sign and date each Statement of
Organization filed. In signing the Statement of Organization, the treasurer is attesting they understand the
potential liability of being a treasurer and that the information provided is true and correct.
If a petition committee also has a civil penalty designee, an individual that accepts liability for any penalty
assessed for a late or insufficient transaction, that individual must also sign and date the Statement of
Organization.
Completing the Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures
This section explains the information required for each field of information on a Certificate of Limited
Contributions and Expenditures (form PC 7). The certificate form can be filed either online through ORESTAR or
by using the following paper form:
Form PC 7: Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 95
For steps on filing the certificate electronically, refer to the ORESTAR User’s Manual: Transaction Filing.
If any of the required information is incomplete or insufficient, the Elections Division will notify the committee
by phone, or in writing, including by email, of the deficiencies on the forms. The filing will not be processed or
considered filed until the required information is provided.
Year Filing Certificate: Must indicate the year the Certificate is being filed for.
Cash Balance as of January 1: Must indicate the cash balance in the committee’s bank account as of January 1 of
the calendar year. If the committee didn’t have a bank account on January 1, this field should reflect a zero
balance.
Committee Name: Must provide the name of the committee.
Committee ID: If available, provide the unique committee ID number assigned by the Elections Division.
Candidate Name: Include the name of the candidate. Not required for Political Action or Petition Committees.
Treasurer Information: Include the name of the treasurer. This field is not required if the candidate is also the
treasurer.
Signature of Candidate or Treasurer: The candidate or treasurer must sign and date the Certificate. In signing,
the individual is attesting the information is true and correct, and may be liable for penalties imposed, among
other requirements.
Forms That Must Be Filed Using Paper
The following forms cannot be filed electronically in ORESTAR and must be filed using the PDF fillable forms
available online at www.oregonvotes.gov. The two forms listed below are filed only by a corporation when the
major source of revenue for the corporation is paid-in-capital and the primary purpose of the corporation is to
support or oppose a candidate, measure, or political party, and the corporation has made a contribution or an
expenditure for that purpose. Further, the SEL 221 (Statement of Organization for Political Action Committee)
and SEL 222 (Statement of Organization for Petition Committee) must be filed using the paper if the committee
has a Civil Penalty Designee.
Form PC 3: Cash Expenditures and Loan Payments Form
Form PC 12: Statement of Corporate Paid-In-Capital
Depending on the type of organization and the organization’s activities, the corporation may also be required to
file a Statement of Organization for Political Action Committee form (SEL 221).
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 96
Information Sources
Business Registration
For information about business registration and business regulations contact:
Corporations Division
Public Service Building
255 Capitol Street NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
503 986 2200
corporationdivision.sos@sos.oregon.gov
sos.oregon.gov/business
Campaign Finance Reporting
For questions regarding Oregon’s campaign finance reporting requirements contact:
Secretary of State
Elections Division
255 Capitol Street NE, Suite 126
Salem, OR 97310-0722
866 673 8683 or 503 986 1518
fax 503 373 7414
orestar-support.so[email protected]n.gov
www.oregonvotes.gov
Federal Elections
For questions regarding federal candidates or committees or federal election regulations contact:
Federal Election Commission
999 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20463
800 424 9530
www.fec.gov
Federal Communications
For questions regarding federal regulations on radio and television broadcasts contact:
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
888 225 5322
fax 866 418 0232
www.fcc.gov
IRS Reporting Requirements
For questions regarding IRS reporting requirements for political committees contact:
Internal Revenue Service
800 829 1040
www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/political-organizations
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 97
Oregon Department of Revenue (Tax Credits)
For information about income tax credits for political contributions contact:
Revenue Building
955 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-2555
800 356 4222 or 503 378 4988
www.oregon.gov/DOR
Oregon Government Ethics
For questions regarding enforcement of Oregon’s government ethics and lobbyist registration laws contact:
Oregon Government Ethics Commission
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 220
Salem, OR 97302-1544
503 378 5105
fax 503 373 1456
www.oregon.gov/ogec
The ethics laws cover such matters as disclosure of conflicts of interest, use of public office for personal
gain, and statements of economic interest. The lobby regulation laws provide guidelines and specify
certain requirements for lobbyists.
Political Signs
For questions regarding political signs contact the elections filing officer for the jurisdiction where the signs are
located.
For questions regarding political signs that are visible from state highways contact:
Oregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol Street NE, MS 11
Salem, OR 97301-3871
888 275 6368
fax 503 986 3432
www.oregon.gov/ODOT
Raffle License
For questions regarding applying for a raffle license or status as a nonprofit entity contact:
Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section
100 SW Market Street
Portland, OR 97201
971 673 1880
fax 971 673 1882
charitable.act[email protected]tate.or.us
www.doj.state.or.us/charitable-activities
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 98
Definitions
As used in this manual, unless the context requires
otherwise, the following terms mean:
Account Payable
An amount owed to a creditor for goods or services.
Address
Includes street number and name, rural route
number or post office box, city, state, and zip code.
For individual contributors, address means that
place where the individual receives personal
financial correspondence: personal residence, post
office box, or place of employment. For payees,
address is the city and state where the payee is
located, or county if the payee is not located in a
city.
Agent
Any person who has:
→ actual oral or written authority, either express or
implied, to make or to authorize the making of
expenditures on behalf of a candidate or on
behalf of a political committee supporting or
opposing a measure;
or
→ been placed in a position within the campaign
organization where it would reasonably appear
that in the ordinary course of campaign-related
activities the person may authorize
expenditures.
Aggregate
The total amount of contributions, including cash
contributions, non-exempt loans received, co-signer
obligations (except obligations of the candidate’s
spouse), and in-kind contributions received from
the same contributor in a calendar year.
The total amount of expenditures, including
accounts payable, cash, personal expenditures for
reimbursement, and non-exempt loan payments
made to the same payee in a calendar year.
Amendment
An addition, correction, or deletion of information
to a transaction or Statement of Organization that
has already been filed.
Business Days
Calendar days excluding weekends and legal
holidays as provided in ORS 187.010 and 187.020.
Calendar Year
January 1 - December 31.
Candidate
“Candidate” includes any of the following:
→ an individual whose name is printed on a ballot,
for whom a declaration of candidacy,
nominating petition or certificate of nomination
to public office has been filed, or whose name is
expected to be or has been presented, with the
individual’s consent, for nomination or election
to public office;
→ an individual who has solicited or received and
accepted a contribution, made an expenditure,
or given consent to an individual, organization,
political party or political committee to solicit or
receive and accept a contribution or make an
expenditure on the individual’s behalf to secure
nomination or election to any public office at
any time, whether or not the office for which the
individual will seek nomination or election is
known when the solicitation is made, the
contribution is received and retained or the
expenditure is made, and whether or not the
name of the individual is printed on a ballot;
or
→ a public office holder against whom a recall
petition has been completed and filed.
Civil Penalty Designee
A person designated on the Statement of
Organization for a Political Action Committee or
Petition Committee that is personally liable for any
penalty imposed for a late or insufficient
transaction.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 99
City Offices
The elected public offices of a city. City offices
typically include a Mayor, City Councilors, a
municipal Judge, and other officers the city council
considers necessary for the conduct of business.
The offices may vary depending upon the city’s
charter and ordinances. Contact the city elections
filing officer for any questions regarding city offices.
Committee Director
Any person who directly and substantially
participates in decision-making on behalf of a
political committee concerning the solicitation or
expenditure of funds and the support of or
opposition to candidates or measures. The officers
of a political party are considered the directors of
any political party committee of that party, unless
otherwise provided in the party’s bylaws.
Committee Identification Number
The number assigned to Oregon committees
registered with the Elections Division.
Contribution
A contribution includes:
the payment, loan, gift, forgiving of indebtedness,
or furnishing without equivalent compensation or
consideration, of money, services other than
personal services for which no compensation is
asked or given, supplies, equipment, or any other
thing of value:
→ for the purpose of influencing an election for
public office or an election on a measure, or of
reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination
or election to public office or the debt of a
political committee, or
→ to or on behalf of a candidate, political
committee, or measure.
If a contribution is made for compensation or
consideration of less than equivalent value, only the
excess value of it is a contribution.
Controlled Committee
A political action committee that, in connection
with the making of contributions or expenditures:
→ is controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate
or another controlled committee;
or
→ acts jointly with a candidate or another
controlled committee.
A candidate controls a political action committee if:
→ the candidate, the candidate’s agent, a member
of the candidate’s immediate family, or any
other political action committee that the
candidate controls has a significant influence on
the actions or decisions of the political action
committee;
or
→ the candidate’s committee and the political
action committee both have the candidate or a
member of the candidate’s immediate family as
a treasurer or director.
Corporation
Includes for-profit, nonprofit, and professional
corporations.
County Offices
The elected public offices of a county. County
offices typically include County Commissioners,
County Assessor, County Clerk, County Sheriff, and
County Treasurer.
The offices may vary depending upon the county’s
charter and ordinances. Contact the county
elections filing officer for any questions regarding
county offices.
District Offices
The elected public offices of a special district (such
as a school or water district) which may be voted on
only by the registered voters of the special district.
District offices typically include a board of directors.
The offices may vary depending upon the district’s
statutory requirements. Contact the county
elections filing officer for any questions about
district offices.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 100
Elections Division
The term “Elections Division” refers to the Oregon
Secretary of State’s Office, Elections Division.
Electoral District
An area within the state, county, city, or district that
is designated to be governed or represented by a
particular elected public office.
Elector
A registered voter in the State of Oregon.
Exempt Loan
Any loan of money made by a financial institution,
other than any overdraft made with respect to a
checking or savings account, if the loan:
→ bears the institution’s usual and customary
interest rate for the category of loan involved;
→ is made on a basis which assures repayment;
→ is evidenced by a written instrument;
and
→ is subject to a due date or amortization
schedule.
Expenditure
An expenditure includes:
→ payment or furnishing of money or furnishing of
any other thing of value;
→ incurring or repayment of indebtedness or
obligation by or on behalf of a candidate,
committee or person in consideration for any
services, supplies, or equipment;
→ any other thing of value performed or furnished
for any reason, including support of or
opposition to a candidate, committee, or
measure;
→ reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination
or election to public office;
or
→ contributions made by a candidate or committee
to or on behalf of any other candidate or
committee.
Fair Market Value
Fair market value is the dollar amount a consumer
would expect to pay for goods or services.
Federal Offices
President, Vice President, United States Senator,
and United States Representative.
Financial Institution
A financial institution conducting business in
Oregon.
Forgiven Loan
A loan which a lender determines need not be
repaid.
General Election
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of each even-numbered year.
Independent Expenditure Filer
A person, other than a political committee or
petition committee that is required to disclose
expenditures made independently for a
communication in support of or in opposition to a
candidate, political party, or measure.
Initiative Petition
A petition by electors to initiate a measure for
approval or rejection.
In-Kind
A good or service, other than money, having
monetary value.
Initial Assets
Contributions received or expenditures made by a
committee prior to establishing the committee.
Legislative Official
Any member or member-elect of the Legislative
Assembly.
Loan Co-Signer or Guarantor
A person who guarantees a loan of monetary value
for a candidate or a committee.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 101
Local Initiative or Referendum
Any initiative or referendum filed with a county,
city, or special district elections office.
Local Office or Measure
Any office or measure to be voted upon by the
registered voters of a county, city, or special district.
Measure
Includes any of the following submitted to the
people for their approval or rejection at an election:
→ an Act or part of an Act of the Legislative
Assembly;
→ a county, city, or special district legislation;
→ a proposed law;
→ a proposition or question; or
→ a proposed revision or amendment to the
Oregon Constitution.
Measure Committee
A political action committee organized exclusively
to support or oppose one or more measures
certified to a ballot in Oregon.
Membership Organization
A trade association, cooperative, corporation
without capital stock, or a local, national, or
international labor organization that:
→ is composed of members who have the choice
whether to join the organization and some or all
members are vested with the power and
authority to operate or administer the
organization, pursuant to the organization’s
articles, bylaws, constitution, or other formal
organizational documents;
→ expressly states the qualifications and
requirements for membership in its articles,
bylaws, constitution, or other formal
organizational documents;
→ makes its articles, bylaws, constitution, or other
formal organizational documents available to its
members upon request;
→ expressly solicits persons to become members;
→ expressly acknowledges the acceptance of
membership, such as by sending a membership
card or including the member’s name on a
membership newsletter list;
→ is not organized primarily for the purpose of
influencing the nomination for election, or
election, of any individual to public office;
and
→ is not a political committee.
Non-Exempt Loan
A loan that is generally from a source other than a
financial institution.
Nonaffiliated Candidate
A candidate filing for a partisan office by Assembly
of Electors or Individual Electors and who is not
affiliated with any party.
Nonpartisan Activity
Activity designed to encourage individuals to vote
or to register to vote, regardless of party affiliation.
Nonpartisan Office
An office for which the candidate does not run
under the name of any political party. Nonpartisan
offices include: Judge (Supreme Court, Court of
Appeals, Tax Court, Circuit Court, and County Judge
who exercises judicial functions), Commissioner of
the Bureau of Labor and Industries, any elected
office of a metropolitan service district under ORS
Chapter 268, Justice of the Peace, County Clerk,
County Assessor, County Treasurer, Sheriff, District
Attorney, and any office designated nonpartisan by
a home rule charter. Special District offices are also
nonpartisan.
OAR
Oregon Administrative Rules.
Occupational Information
The nature of an individual’s primary job or
business and if the individual is employed by
another person, the employer’s name and city and
state.
ORESTAR
Oregon Elections System for Tracking and Reporting
(ORESTAR) is the Elections Division web-based
campaign finance reporting system.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 102
ORS
Oregon Revised Statutes.
Other Disbursements
Moneys disbursed by the candidate or committee
that do not meet the definition of “expenditure.”
Other Receipts
Moneys received by a candidate or committee that
do not meet the definition of “contribution.”
Partisan Office
An office for which the candidate may be
nominated by a major or minor political party, or as
a nonaffiliated candidate.
Person
An individual, corporation, limited liability company,
labor organization, association, firm, partnership,
joint stock company, club, organization, or other
combination of individuals having collective
capacity.
Petition Committee
A petition committee is a committee formed by the
chief petitioner(s) of an initiative, referendum, or
recall petition during the signature gathering phase.
Physical Currency
Coins or paper notes, or any combination thereof,
that are issued by United States Federal Reserve
Banks or by equivalent institutions in another
country, or that are recognized as legal tender by
any government.
Political Action Committee
Includes miscellaneous, political party, caucus,
recall, and measure committees. This term does not
include a candidate committee or a petition
committee.
Political Committee
Defined by statute as a combination of two or more
individuals, or a person other than an individual,
that has received a contribution or made an
expenditure for the purpose of supporting or
opposing a candidate, measure, or political party.
Expenditure does not include a contribution to a
candidate or political committee required to report
the contribution or an independent expenditure
that is required to be reported. Political committee
also includes an individual that solicits and receives
a contribution, unless all contributions received by
the individual are designated to a committee and
forwarded to that committee within seven business
days of receipt.
Unless otherwise specified, the term “political
committee” refers to all candidate committees,
measure committees, political party committees,
caucus committees, recall committees, and
miscellaneous committees. This term does not
include a petition committee.
Political Party Committee
A political committee organized by a political party
which has appropriately filed its organizational
documents with the Secretary of State under ORS
248.007 or 248.008. Includes county central
committee.
Primary Election
The third Tuesday in May of each even-numbered
year.
Professional Delivery Service
Includes common carriers such as the United States
Postal Service, Federal Express, and UPS. Other
businesses that in the course of their work may be
responsible for delivering documents, such as
accounting or contribution and expenditure
transaction preparation services, are not considered
professional delivery services.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 103
Prospective Petition
Candidate:
The information and filing forms, except signatures
and other identification of petition signers, required
to be contained in a completed petition.
Local (City, County, and District):
The information and filing forms, except signatures
and other identification of petition signers, required
to be contained in a completed petition.
Statewide:
A prospective initiative, referendum, or recall
petition, which has been filed and accepted by the
Elections Division’s office, but has not received
written approval to circulate from the Elections
Division.
Public Office
Any national, state, county, city, or district office or
position, except a political party office, filled by an
elector.
Recall Petition
A petition by electors to place a question on a
special recall election ballot regarding whether a
specified public officer should be removed from
office.
Referendum Petition
A petition by electors to approve or reject
legislation adopted by the Oregon Legislature or the
governing body of a county, city, or district.
State Measure
A measure to be voted on by the electors of the
entire state.
State Offices
Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer,
Attorney General, Commissioner of the Bureau of
Labor and Industries, Judge (Supreme Court, Court
of Appeals, Tax Court, Circuit Court, and any County
Judge who exercises judicial functions), State
Senator, State Representative, or District Attorney.
Transactions
Contributions, expenditures, other receipts and
disbursements, and all other committee and
independent expenditure filer financial activities
that are required to be reported under Oregon
campaign finance law.
Treasurer
A person appointed by a political committee or
petition committee to manage and report the
contributions and expenditures of the committee.
Undue Influence
Application of force, violence, restraint, or the
threat of it, inflicting injury, damage, harm, loss of
employment, or other loss or threat of it, or giving
or promising to give money, employment, or other
thing of value, done with the intent to induce a
person to engage or refrain from engaging in
specific kinds of political activity listed in ORS
260.665(2). Depending on the conduct the person
applying undue influence intends to induce, a
violation of ORS 260.665 is punishable by
imposition of a civil penalty or as a class C felony.
Campaign Finance Manual (Rev. 07/2024) 104
List of Forms
SEL 220
Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee
SEL 221
Statement of Organization for Political Action Committee
SEL 222
Statement of Organization for Petition Committee
PC 3
Cash Expenditures and Loan Payments
PC 7
Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures
PC 12
Statement of Corporate Paid-in-Capital
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)
OAR 165-001-0005 through OAR 165-001-0080
Administrative rules outlining contested case procedures
OAR 165-012-0005
Designating the Campaign Finance Manual and Forms
OAR 165-012-0050
Contribution of Polls, Allocation of Polling Expenses
OAR 165-012-0240
Administrative Discontinuation of a Political Committee
OARs 165-012-0505, 165-012-0510, 165-012-0515, 165-012-0520, 165-012-0530
Covered Organizations
OAR 165-012-0525
Campaign Advertising Disclosures
OAR 165-013-0010
Penalty Matrix for Other Campaign Finance Violations
