Regulations & reporting

Local campaign finance regulation is intended to be carried out in conjunction with the applicable statutory campaign finance regulation, a thorough understanding of statutory campaign finance regulation imposed by the Florida Election Code is a prerequisite for understanding local campaign finance regulation imposed by City Code. For example, City Code defines “covered expenditure” as “(i) an independent expenditure made with respect to a candidate or a ballot question or (ii) an expenditure for an electioneering communication made with respect to a candidate.” Because the terms “independent expenditure” and “expenditure for an electioneering communication” are established by the Florida Election Code, determining whether something is a “covered expenditure” for purposes of City Code must begin with an understanding and analysis of the underlying statutory concepts. 

The Florida Division of Elections (the “Division”) has released a variety of publications describing the application of the statutory concepts that form the foundation of the City’s local campaign finance regulation, and it would be inappropriate for the City to publish competing guidance on those statutory topics. Accordingly, this handbook has been prepared to complement the Division’s publications, and questions regarding the application of state law should still be resolved by consulting the Division’s publications or contacting the Division for assistance.

Local Campaign Finance Handbook

Local Campaign Finance Reports – Political Committees and Electioneering Communication Organizations

Pursuant to City Code chapter 10, articles III–V, the City has instituted local requirements concerning campaign finance that are designed to supplement statewide campaign finance regulations established by the Florida Election Code. As a point of reference, links to the statutory forms provided by the Division of Elections are identified below.

• Political Committees
• Electioneering Communication Organizations

Each campaign treasurer designated by a political or electioneering committee shall file regular reports of all contributions received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of such political committee. (Section 106.07, F.S.) The City’s Easy Campaign Finance Portal (the “City Portal”) must be used for the filing of (i) filing of statutory reports with the City Clerk that is required by the Florida Election Code, and (ii) filing of all independent spending reports.

Accessing the EasyVote System

Prior to obtaining access to the EasyVote System, an Application and Acknowledgement of Electronic Filing Information form must be completed and returned to the City Clerk’s Office. Once access has been granted to the EasyVote System at cityofstpetersburgfl.easyvotecampaignfinance.com, the log in information for the user will be provided by the City Clerk.

Uploading Reports

Local Campaign Finance Disclosure forms must be uploaded as a PDF using the EasyVote System under the specific report type i.e., (SP-CO-500 - Notice of Independent Spender Status).

When to File

Reports must be completed and filed through the EasyVote System no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the scheduled reporting due date. Please follow the schedule of reporting dates to obtain the correct reporting period. If the EasyVote System is inoperable on the due date, the report will be accepted as timely filed if filed no later than midnight of the first business day the EasyVote System becomes operable.