ALABAMA – Alabama is changing the way candidates for city offices report to the public who gave to their campaigns and how they used the money.
Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law a bill that requires municipal candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically with the secretary of state’s office. Municipal candidates now file paper reports with their county probate judge.
The electronic reports go in a searchable data base on the secretary of state’s website.
The change starts Aug. 1, 2023, Secretary of State John Merrill’s office said in a press release.
Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, who sponsored the bill, said the change will help both candidates and the public.
“Running for municipal office in cities which span multiple counties can be especially burdensome on candidates and those looking to access campaign finance documents,” Whitt said. “This legislation will streamline the filing process and greatly increase transparency in our elections.”
Another change in Whitt’s bill applies to county and state offices. It repeals a provision that says candidates who raise and spend less than $5,000 threshold don’t have to file electronically.
Merrill said he supported the changes.
“By utilizing one centralized database, candidates and voters alike will be able to more easily track information,” Merrill said in a press release. “Our office is excited to offer this one-stop shop for campaign finance documents, and we appreciate the diligent work of Representative Whitt and probate judges across the state, as well as the full cooperation and endorsement from the Alabama League of Municipalities.”
