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Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices records, 1972-2011

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana. Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices
Title
Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices records
Dates
1972-2011 (inclusive)
Quantity
42.75 linear feet
Collection Number
RS 260
Summary
This collection consists of records created by the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices. Records include financial reports filed by Montanans running for local, state, and federal office, as well as PACs supporting those candidates, and a small amount of the Commissioner's correspondence.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

In 1975, the Montana Legislature created the position Commissioner of Campaign Finances and Practices. The commissioner was appointed for a five-year term by a committee comprised of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the minority floor leaders of both houses of the legislature. In 1979, the governor assumed the duty of appointing the commissioner from a list of candidates prepared by the legislative committee, and the commissioner's term was lengthened to six years.

The office is responsible for the investigation of all alleged violations of the election laws and, in conjunction with county attorneys, responsible for the enforcement of the election laws. Other duties include examining each statement and report filed with the commissioner, notably the reports of every political candidate and political organization listing receipts and expenditures to ensure compliance with election laws. The commissioner also approves issuance of certificates of nomination or election after ensuring candidates' compliance with election laws.

In 1981, the name of the office was changed to the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices.

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Content Description

This record group contains a small amount of correspondence of the commissioner's office. The bulk of the records are comprised of reports submitted to the commissioner by political candidates running for local, state, and federal office, including school-related offices, and related fund-raising organizations, or political action committees (PACs).

These reports include the following:

Form C1 and C1a, statement of Candidate form filed by candidates for statewide or state district offices (House, Senate, Public Service Commission, and District Judges) or for county, municipal, or school candidates.

Form C2, filed by all political committees who participate in Montana elections by making expenditures or receiving contributions.

Form C4, filed by incidental committees to disclose all contributions received and expenditures made during a specific timeframe.

Form C5, candidate campaign finance filed by all candidates who have filed a C-1 or have filed a C1a and designated themselves 'C' box candidates on that form.

Form C6, filed by political party, ballot issue, and independent (PAC) committees.

Form C118, filed by an elected public official for the creation of a a constituent services account.

Form E1, filed by public officers, legislators, or public employees who hold multiple public employment positions.

Form L1, filed by an individual (lobbyist) if they receive payments of $2,650 or more in a calendar year to promote, oppose, or modify the introduction or enactment of legislation on behalf of one or more principals.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases, permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright holders. For more information, contact the Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices records, RS 260, [box and folder number]. Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

These materials are organized by the specific type of form / report; thereunder, alphabetically by the name of the individual or organization filing the report and chronologically as appropriate.

Location of Collection

Acquisition Information

The materials in this record group were obtained via a series of transfers from the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices to the Montana Historical Society. Information about specific transfers is available upon request.

Related Materials

Additional records from the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices are available in several unprocessed accessions. Contact the Research Center Archives for more information.

Future Additions

Future records transfers from the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices will be added to this collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Commissioner of Political Practices correspondence
    0.25 linear feet

    Organized chronologically

    Dates: 1975 - 1983
    Container: Box 1
  • Description: Reports for state / local candidates for office and PACs, A - Z
    0.75 linear feet
    Dates: 1976 - 1980
    Container: Box 1
  • Description: Reports for federal candidates for office and PACs, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 1972 - 1982
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Reports for federal candidates for office and PACs, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 1972 - 1982
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Reports of PACs supporting federal candidates, A - W
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1975 - 1981
    Container: Box 4
  • Description: Reports of PACs supporting federal candidates, A - W
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 1975 - 1981
    Container: Box 5
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 6
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 7
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 8
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 9
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 10
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 11
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 12
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 13
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 14
  • Description: Disbanded PACs (C2 / C6 forms), A - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 1994 - 2011
    Container: Box 15
  • Description: Active PAC financial reports (C6 forms), A - Y
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2000 - 2011
    Container: Box 16
  • Description: Active PAC financial reports (C6 forms), A - Y
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2001 - 2011
    Container: Box 16
  • Description: Active PAC financial reports (C6 forms), A - Y
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2002 - 2011
    Container: Box 17
  • Description: Disbanded Political Parties forms
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2005 - 2011
    Container: Box 18
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 18
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 19
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 20
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 21
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 22
  • Description: Ballot Issue Committee; State District / Statewide (C2 / C-6 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 22
  • Description: School Incidental Committees (C2 / C4 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010-2011
    Container: Box 23
  • Description: Statewide Incidental Committees (C2 / C4 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 23
  • Description: Statewide Incidental Committees (C2 / C4 forms)
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 24
  • Description: Statewide Incidental Committees (C2 / C4 forms)
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2012
    Container: Box 25
  • Description: Statewide Incidental Committees (C2 / C4 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2013
    Container: Box 26
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 26
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 27
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 28
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 29
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 30
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 31
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 32
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 33
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 34
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 35
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 36
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 37
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 38
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 39
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 40
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 41
  • Description: County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 42
  • Description: Additional County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, D - M
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 42
  • Description: Additional County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, D - M
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 43
  • Description: Additional County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 44
  • Description: Additional County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 45
  • Description: Additional County Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2010
    Container: Box 48
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2007
    Container: Box 43
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2007
    Container: Box 46
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2007
    Container: Box 47
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2009
    Container: Box 48
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2009
    Container: Box 49
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2009
    Container: Box 50
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 51
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 52
  • Description: City Candidates C1A / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 53
  • Description: City "A" Candidates C1A forms, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet

    "A" means candidates spend $0.00 for campaign

    Dates: 2009
    Container: Box 53
  • Description: City "B" Candidates C1A forms, A - Z
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2009
    Container: Box 53
  • Description: City "A" Candidates C1A forms, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet

    "A" means candidates spend $0.00 for campaign

    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 54
  • Description: City "B" Candidates C1A forms, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box 54
  • Description: School Candidates C1A and C5 reports
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2007 - 2011
    Container: Box 55
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 55
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 56
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 57
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 58
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 59
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 60
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 61
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    1 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 62
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 63
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C1 / C5 reports, A - Z
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008 - 2010
    Container: Box 63
  • Description: Lobbyists' Applications (L 1 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 2007 - 2010
    Container: Box 64
  • Description: Multiple Public Employees (E1 forms)
    0.25 linear feet
    Dates: 1996-2004
    Container: Box 64
  • Description: Statewide Candidates C118C reports, A - W
    0.5 linear feet
    Dates: 2008-2010
    Container: Box 64

Finding aid prepared by Christian Frazza
1988

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