Secretary Of State Names Violators Of Fair Campaign Practices Act

MONTGOMERY, AL — Secretary of State John Merrill announced Tuesday that 86 committees and candidates were found in violation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act, which dictates how state and local candidates and Political Action Committees spend and receive campaign contributions.

Each year, annual reports detailing the contributions made to and funds expended from the account during the preceding year must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by January 31.

The full list of candidates and PACs not in compliance with the annual reporting requirement has since been reported the Attorney General’s Office, the Alabama Ethics Commission and local District Attorney Offices.

In an effort to increase transparency and accountability, notice has been provided to each committee by phone, mail, and, if possible, email.

Beginning with the 2018 Election Cycle, the FCPA required the Secretary of State’s Office to assess administrative penalties of $300 (or 10 percent of contributions or expenditures not reported) for first time offenders, $600 (or 15 percent of contributions or expenditures not reported) for second time offenders, and $1,200 (or 20 percent of contributions or expenditures not reported) for third and subsequent offenses respectively.

Collected funds are then deposited directly into the State General Fund. As of Tuesday, $262,449.78 has been paid to the State General Fund from penalties levied since the 2018 Election Cycle.