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.
The next round of Michigan campaign finance deadlines arrives in the next two weeks, and which ones apply depends on whether your committee is participating in the November 3, 2026 General Election. Committees on the ballot file Pre- and Post-General Election Statements. State-level PACs and candidate committees not on the ballot file an October Statement instead.
This is a quick reminder of what is due, who owes it, and the Late Contribution Report period that runs in between.
Committees on the November 3 Ballot
Candidate committees whose candidate appears on the November 3 ballot must file both a Pre-General and a Post-General Election Statement.
Pre-General Election
Close of books: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Due: Friday, October 23, 2026
Post-General Election
Close of books: Monday, November 23, 2026
Due: Thursday, December 3, 2026
The Post-General Statement is required whether the candidate wins or loses. Because it is filed in December, it also satisfies the Annual Statement requirement for 2026, so committees that file it do not owe a separate Annual Statement in January.
Late Contribution Reports
Late Contribution Reports (LCRs) must be filed within 48 hours of receipt. A report is required for a single contribution that meets the threshold, or for contributions from the same contributor that add up to the threshold during the LCR period.
Candidate committees on the November ballot: October 19–31; threshold of $500 or more.
State-level PACs: October 21–31; threshold of $2,500 or more.
October Statements: PACs and Candidates Not on the Ballot
The October Statement closes Tuesday, October 20, 2026 and is due Monday, October 26, 2026. October 25 falls on a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next business day.
Who owes it:
State-level PACs (political, independent and independent expenditure/super PACs).
Candidate committees not running in 2026, such as officeholders whose seats are not up this year, which owe July and October Statements in non-election years.
This article is intended as a guide. Every filing situation is fact-specific, and obligations can change based on election participation, committee activity, reporting waivers and statutory updates.
Questions: LFarnum@farnuminc.com
Michigan Bureau of Elections: MDOS-CampaignFinance@michigan.gov
Consult legal counsel as appropriate.
Sources: Michigan Bureau of Elections, 2025–2026 Campaign Finance Statement Dates and Statement Logic · MCL 169.232
