RRJ Consulting has prepared this resource from the Utah State Code to clearly explain the rules and regulations regarding campaign contributions and reporting. Candidates of public office for statewide, legislative, and state school board positions must disclose all contributions they receive and expenditures made and file reports electronically with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at https://disclosures.utah.gov/.

A person is considered a candidate if they:

  • File for candidacy.
  • Receive or solicit contributions.
  • Make expenditures related to candidacy.

General guidelines to follow for campaign contributions include:

  • Candidates are required to have a separate bank account registered. It is suggested that a candidate get an employer identification number (EIN) to manage campaign contributions rather than use a social security number.
  • The Lt. Governor’s office does not provide this number, contact the IRS for more information.
  • Using campaign contributions for personal use is prohibited.
  • If a business gives to a local or county candidate, the business must report the expenditure.
  • A person who donates to a campaign can find instances in which he/she would need to report the contribution in 20A-11 Part 17.
  • Candidates receiving contributions must file a report.
  • There is no limit to how much can be contributed.
  • Candidates and officeholders may not receive funds greater than $50 from an unknown source.
  • Anonymous contributions over $50 must be donated to a city, county, or a charity.
  • Each contribution must be itemized with the contributor’s name and address.

Reporting Guidelines:

  • All candidates must file campaign finance reports, regardless if they have raised or spent money.
  • Candidates must report contributions within 30 days of receiving it.
  • During the period of 30 days before convention, primary or general election, a contested candidate must report each contribution within three business days of receiving it.
  • The actual source of the contribution, including the name and address of the donor, must be disclosed in the report.
  • Reports must clearly specify campaign expenditures made and the specific purpose, item, or service acquired by the expenditure.
  • If an individual is compensated, the name of each staffer must be reported as the Name of Payee. However, if someone is reimbursed for purchased items, report who was ultimately paid and not the person reimbursed, for instance “Office Warehouse for sign materials.”
  • Candidates do not need to report if he or she has a zeroed-out balance.
  • Candidates may donate funds to a city, county, charity, back to the donor, to another candidate, to a PAC, or to a political party to zero out an outstanding balance.
  • If the report due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the report is due the next business day.

If a candidate fails to file a report by the deadline, he or she will be:

  • Issued a fine of $100.
  • Given a 24-hour grace period to file the report.
  • Disqualified from the election, if he/she does not file the disclosure report within the 24-hour window.