In accordance with state law, it is the responsibility of the election/party official to inform every candidate of the electronic filing requirement for the Statement of Economic Interests form and for the Campaign Disclosure form. Please notify each candidate that if the Campaign Disclosure form is not electronically filed within five (5) days of the established deadline, an initial fine of $100 is required. After notice has been given by certified mail that the form has not been filed, the fine increases at $10 per day for the first ten (10) days, and $100 per day for each additional day the form is not filed.
The following documents are provided: Candidate Roster, Successful Candidate Roster and Notice to All Candidates. Information is provided regarding the Statement of Economic Interests form and Candidate Campaign Disclosure Form; however, those forms must be filed electronically.
Statement of Economic Interests Form The State Ethics Act requires that candidates electronically file this form at the time of becoming a candidate and provide evidence of such filing with the official responsible for the election. If a candidate fails to electronically file the form at the time of filing as a candidate, his name shall not appear on the ballot. If through error or omission, a candidate’s name appears on the election ballot, the candidate shall not be certified subsequent to the election.
Candidate Campaign Disclosure Form It is the responsibility of the candidate to electronically file this form, initially, within ten days after receiving or expending their first $500, to include their own money (please note an initial report is not required after every $500 spent or received). Thereafter, quarterly reports are due within ten days following the end of each calendar quarter before and after each election, until a final report with a zero balance is filed, whether contributions have been received or expenditures made. All candidates must electronically file a Pre-election report fifteen days before each election showing contribution and expenditure activity current as of 20 days before the election. This report is electronically filed even if no funds are received and no expenditures made. A Final Report is electronically filed when the campaign account is closed (i.e., no funds are in the account and no money is due or owed). NOTE: If a pre-election report is required to be filed within thirty days of the end of the prior calendar quarter, the quarterly report and pre-election report must be combined and filed to meet the pre-election report deadline.
Candidates' Roster- The roster is sent concerning each candidate's Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) by the election official within five (5) days after the books close. This roster must be received with the indication that the candidates filed the form electronically with the State Ethics Commission in order to ensure accuracy and timeliness in the receipt of the confirmation letter. A candidate's name may not appear on the ballot until a completed SEI has been electronically filed.
Successful Candidates - Within five (5) days after the election, please complete and return the report listing names of the successful candidates, unsuccessful candidates and those who were unopposed.
Notice to All Candidates - Electronic Filing is MANDATORY.
The State Ethics Commission Public Disclosure and Accountability Reporting System is available for the electronic filing of campaign disclosure forms and financial disclosure forms.
The site is https://ssl.sc.gov/EthicsRegistration/Login/Login.aspx.
To view or download the Electronic Filing User Guides to file electronically, go to http://ethics.sc.gov/Campaigns/Pages/Userguides.aspx.
Please contact this office if we can provide further assistance.