How Senate Committees Can E-File their Next FEC Reports
Update: On Friday, September 21, President Trump signed the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019. The FEC immediately released a statement that U.S. Senate campaigns are now required to submit their filings with the Commission rather than the Secretary of the Senate. They are ready to accept electronic filings, and issued new guidance helping Senate campaigns make this transition.If you have questions, please read the post below or contact the Crimson Support team at 1-800-878-6837.
Starting in October, U.S. Senate campaign committees should be able to electronically file reports directly to the Federal Election Commission.Last week, Congress passed the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, also known as the “minibus,” and included a provision to streamline the filing process for Senate campaigns. Politico reported that the FEC anticipates accepting electronically filed reports from Senate campaigns in time for the next quarterly deadline on October 15.While this change is on very short notice, rest assured that your CrimsonFiler database is already set up for electronic filing. However, committees need to have an electronic password from the FEC on hand to successfully submit their reports.
How do you get a FEC electronic password?
If you wish to file electronically, make sure you have the correct electronic filing password with the FEC. It can take two to three days to complete a request for a password, so please do not wait. Depending on your role with the campaign committee, there are two different ways to obtain a password.1. Official treasurer or assistant treasurer:A treasurer can create a new password, retrieve a forgotten one or change a password using this form on the FEC’s website.2. Entity or person other than a political committee:If you're not the campaign treasurer or assistant treasurer, you will need to email a Password Request Letter for Entity or Person(s) Other than a Political Committee to the Electronic Filing Office at eFiletechsupport@fec.gov. This letter should be on campaign letterhead and include:
- Entity name
- Nine-digit FEC ID number
- Phone number
- Authorized signature
The FEC will contact the person listed in the letter by phone to issue a password. During the busy periods surrounding filing deadlines, this process can take two to three business days after the request is received. Please check with your committee to see if you have an electronic password. If you do not, request one as soon as possible.
What happens after Trump signs the bill?
Last week, President Trump indicated that he would sign the minibus, and the FEC released a statement that additional guidance would then be issued:
Congress has passed and sent to the President the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, which includes a provision that makes the Federal Election Commission (FEC) the official point of entry for all Senate filings. If signed, the legislation would subject Senate filers to the electronic filing requirements that have applied to all other committees since January 1, 2000. The Commission will provide additional information for filers upon enactment.
Check back for additional information from the FEC once President Trump signs this bill. We will alert you to any further changes or guidance. Until then, please verify that you have an electronic password with the FEC in order to successfully e-file your next report.If you have questions about e-filing your next quarterly report, please contact the Crimson Helpdesk at 1-800-878-6837 or crimsonsupport@cmdi.com.