July Campaign Finance Filings
Lisa Farnum, MPP is President of L Farnum, Inc., a firm that specializes in PAC compliance, research and project management. Lisa has been helping clients resolve campaign finance issues and maintain compliance for more than 23 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Northwood University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Ms. Farnum has over 25 years of experience working with corporations and non-profits.
Candidate Committees (CTE)
Filing dates can vary depending on the status of the CTE:
Scenario 1: On the ballot for the August 4, 2026 primary
Close of books: July 19, 2026 • Filing deadline: July 24, 2026
Scenario 2: Not on the ballot
A quarterly filing is still required if not on a waiver:
Close of books: July 20, 2026 • Filing deadline: July 27, 2026
The full 2025–2026 Campaign Finance Filing Schedule published by the Michigan Bureau of Elections is available at michigan.gov/sos.
Political Action Committees, Independent Committees & Independent Expenditure Committees
July Quarterly Report
Coverage Period: April 21, 2026 – July 20, 2026
Filing Deadline: July 27, 2026
This applies unless the committee qualifies for (and maintains) a reporting waiver.
Compliance Tip: Late Contribution Reports (LCRs)
A Late Contribution Report (LCR) must be filed within 48 hours of receipt — not the next business day, not the next filing deadline. The LCR period opens the day after the close of books and closes three days before the election. The threshold and triggering conditions differ significantly depending on committee type.
Candidate Committees (CTEs) — $500 Threshold
An LCR is required when a CTE receives a single contribution, or cumulative contributions from the same person totaling $500 or more, during the LCR period.
Key timeframe rule: Only contributions received during the LCR period count toward the $500 cumulative. A contribution made before the period opens does not carry over.
PACs, Independent Committees & IE Committees — $2,500 Threshold + Expenditure Requirement
For PACs and independent committees, an LCR is required only when both of the following conditions are met during the same LCR period:
Condition 1 — Contributions: The committee receives a single contribution, or cumulative contributions from the same person, totaling $2,500 or more during the LCR period.
Condition 2 — Expenditure: The committee has made an expenditure to support or oppose a candidate or ballot question appearing on the upcoming ballot during that same LCR period. Both conditions must be satisfied — contributions alone are not enough. If the committee makes no qualifying expenditure during the LCR period, no LCR is required regardless of contribution size.
August 4, 2026 Primary — LCR Windows
Candidate Committees on the ballot:
LCR Period: July 20 – August 1, 2026
Threshold: $500 (single or cumulative from same contributor during period) • Due: within 48 hours of receipt (Opens the day after close of books, July 19; closes 3 days before the August 4 primary.)
PACs, Independent Committees & IE Committees (state filers):
LCR Period: July 21 – August 1, 2026
Threshold: $2,500 (same contributor during period) AND a qualifying expenditure during the period • Due: within 48 hours of receipt (Opens the day after the July 20 quarterly close of books; closes 3 days before the primary.)
Contribution Limits
Contribution limits are tied to election cycles and the office sought; longer cycles allow higher limits. Independent PACs may give up to ten times the applicable individual limit. Limits are adjusted every four years. Current official state-level limits are posted by the Bureau of Elections at michigan.gov/sos.
Final Notes
This article is intended as a guide. Every filing situation is fact-specific, and compliance obligations can change based on election participation, committee activity, or statutory updates.
Questions: LFarnum@farnuminc.com
Michigan Bureau of Elections: MDOS-CampaignFinance@michigan.gov
Consult legal counsel as appropriate.
