April 10, 2015 •
North Dakota Democrats File FEC Complaint Over Foreign Contributions
Grand Fork Democrats in District 43 have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against state Republican officials and a political action committee (PAC) for receiving foreign campaign contributions. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, state Sen. Lonnie Laffen, and the […]
Grand Fork Democrats in District 43 have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against state Republican officials and a political action committee (PAC) for receiving foreign campaign contributions. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, state Sen. Lonnie Laffen, and the ND Oil PAC each reported receiving contributions from individuals with Canadian and/or United Kingdom addresses.
The complaint cites federal law and regulations prohibiting contributions from foreign nationals in federal, state, or local elections. North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger has said he believes federal laws under the FEC apply to federal candidates, but do not apply to in-state, nonfederal candidates.
Democratic leaders also filed a request for an attorney general’s opinion on the interplay between federal and state law regarding foreign campaign contributions.
April 7, 2015 •
North Dakota Passes U.S. Senate Special Election Bill
Lawmakers have passed a bill requiring a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. House Bill 1181 requires the governor to call a special election within 95 days of a Senate seat vacancy, unless the vacancy occurs within 95 […]
Lawmakers have passed a bill requiring a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. House Bill 1181 requires the governor to call a special election within 95 days of a Senate seat vacancy, unless the vacancy occurs within 95 days of the end of the Senate term, in which case the seat will be filled at the next regular election.
Democrats believe the bill is an attempt to discourage U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp from running for governor in 2016 since she would not be able to appoint her replacement.
The bill now goes to Gov. Jack Dalrymple for his signature.
May 6, 2013 •
North Dakota Legislature Adjourns
Signed campaign finance bills address independent expenditures
The Legislature adjourned sine die early Saturday, May 4, 2013. During this longest-ever legislative session, Governor Jack Dalrymple signed two campaign finance bills to establish registration and reporting requirements for independent expenditures.
Senate Bill 2255 and Senate Bill 2299 expand definitions and reporting requirements for campaign entities making independent expenditures in North Dakota elections. Federal PACs making independent expenditures in excess of $200 in state races will be required to file a copy of the federal report detailing the expenditures.
The bills become effective August 1, 2013.
Photo of the North Dakota State Capitol by Bobak Ha’Eri in Wikipedia.
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