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.
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.
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.
This collection is open for research.
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.
[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.
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.
Future records transfers from the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices will be added to this collection.
Organized chronologically
"A" means candidates spend $0.00 for campaign
"A" means candidates spend $0.00 for campaign