Contributions:

Question: Can I give a candidate a contribution for both the primary and general election at the same time and have the candidate earmark the general election contribution to be used at a later date in the general election cycle?

Answer: No. Any contribution given through midnight August 5, 2008 counts toward the primary election cycle. Contributions given in one election cycle cannot be allocated to another election cycle. Any contribution given from August 6, 2008 through December 31, 2008 counts toward the general election contribution limitation.

Question: An individual wants to give my campaign a contribution but he/she does not want to be listed on my report as a contributor. Do I have to list them?

Answer: Yes. Any contribution given to a campaign in excess of $50 must be itemized on a report. If an individual doesn't want his or her name to appear, then the contributor must make a contribution that is $50 or less.

Question: If an individual owns a business, can the business and the individual both contribute?

Answer: Yes. Under Kansas law, both the individual and business (unless the business is a sole proprietorship) are treated as separate entities, each having the ability to make a donation to the same candidate or committee.

Question: Can a husband and wife write one check for the maximum allowable limit or must each write a separate check?

Answer: Either is acceptable. A single check can be written for both contributions or each individual can write a separate check.

Independent Expenditures:

Question: What is an independent expenditure?

Answer: An independent expenditure is any expenditure that is made without the cooperation or consent of a candidate, or agent of such candidate, intended to be benefitted and which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate. Independent expenditures are not subject to contribution limitations since the expenditure is not made with the consent or cooperation of the candidate or his or her agent.

Question: Are independent expenditures made by a party or political committee reportable?

Answer: Yes. Political action committees and party committees are required to report all expenditures. If a PAC or party committee makes an independent expenditure, the vendor to whom the expenditure was made must be disclosed. In addition, any independent expenditure in excess of $300 made by a PAC or party committee will have to be disclosed showing the name and address of the candidate whose nomination, election or defeat is expressly advocated, and the amount of the independent expenditure.

Question: Are independent expenditures made by an individual or organization reportable?

Answer: An individual or any organization, other than a PAC or party committee, who makes an expenditure in the amount of $100 or more is required to file a one page report showing the name and address of each contributor who donated over $50 for the independent expenditure, the name and address of any vendor who was paid more than $50 for the independent expenditure, and the name of the candidate whose election or defeat was expressly advocated.

Internet:

Question: Do web sites, e-mails and other Internet communications require a "Paid for by" or "Sponsored by" attribution statement.

Answer: If the web site, e-mail or other Internet communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for state or local office, then a "Paid for by" or "Sponsored by" statement must be provided.

Issue Ads:

Question: What is an issue ad and is an issue ad reportable under the Act?

Answer: Issue ads are communications, sometimes referred to as electioneering communications, that do not expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for state or local office. These advertisements or mailings may ask you to contact a candidate or current office holder to give them your viewpoint on a specific subject, but the literature or advertisement does not ask you to vote for or against a specific candidate. Because there is no express advocacy, individuals and/or organizations that use these types of advertisements or communications do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Campaign Finance Act. Therefore, there is no reporting of this activity.

Loans:

Question: How much can a candidate loan his or her campaign?

Answer: There is no limitation on the amount of money a candidate and/or spouse can loan to the campaign.

"Paid For By":

Question: Does the "paid for by" attribution statement have to be placed on campaign yard signs?

Answer: No. The "paid for by" attribution statement does not have to appear on yard signs, envelopes, bumper stickers, billboards, t-shirts, pens, pencils, rulers, magnets, or other trinkets.

Question: Does the "paid for by" attribution statement have to appear on a business card?

Answer: Yes, if the business card expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate (using words or phrases such as "vote for", "elect", "support", "Smith for Senate", "defeat"). The "paid for by" statement must appear not only on business cards, but also on campaign brochures, fliers, fact sheets, postcards, fund-raising invitations, and door hangers that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate for state or local office.

Question: Is the candidate's name sufficient on the "paid for by" line on TV, radio, or newspaper ads?

Answer: No. The law requires not only the name of the candidate, but also the name of the candidate's treasurer to be disclosed on these ads. If a party committee or PAC places an advertisement, the name of the committee and the name of either the chairperson or treasurer must be listed. If an individual or organization places an ad, the name of the person paying for the ad or the person responsible for the placement of the ad must be disclosed.

Reimbursements:

Question: Can a candidate, party, or political committee official be reimbursed for mileage expenses relating to the campaign or committee?

Answer: Yes. Although a candidate is not required to report personal miles driven, a candidate or committee chairman or treasurer can be reimbursed for personal miles driven if a log showing the miles driven is maintained. Each entry in the log should indicate the date of travel, purpose of travel, and actual miles driven. The state's reimbursement rate of 52¢ per mile should be used to calculate mileage.

Volunteers:

Question: Is the time of a volunteer considered an in-kind contribution and is it reportable?

Answer: No. Volunteer time is not considered an in-kind contribution and does not need to be reported. If a volunteer incurs expenses of more than $50 in providing volunteer services, any expenditure made by the volunteer in excess of $50 must be reported as an in-kind contribution.

Examples of expenses incurred by a volunteer are postage stamps purchased by the volunteer to mail campaign post cards and refreshments for a candidate function held at the home of the volunteer.