WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission’s recently initiated Administrative Fine Program is having an impact on the timely filing of reports by committees. Since the program was implemented with the 2000 July Quarterly reports, the results have shown a general decrease in reports filed late or not filed at all.

The number of reports filed late compared to prior cycles declined in each reporting period, except the monthly report for August. For some periods, the decline in the number of late reports was significant. For example, the percentage of year-end late reports declined from 24% for the year-end 1998 reports, to 11% for the year-end 2000 reports. The largest percentage drop in the number of late filers occurred with recent monthly report filings. The number of September monthly reports filed late dropped 16 percentage points from the 1998 cycle; November reports declined 18 percentage points, and December reports fell 28 percentage points.

The number of nonfilers since July 2000 generally has declined from the 1998 cycle, with the exception of the year-end report and several monthly reports where the number of nonfilers has increased from 1998. The largest percentage decline in nonfilers occurred with the post-general election report, where nonfilers dropped from 252 in 1998, to 128 in 2000, a 49% decrease. Overall, the percentage of reports filed late dropped from 21.7% in 1996, to 15.6% in 2000 for comparable reporting periods.

Reports are considered to be filed late if they are received after the due date, but within 30 days of that due date. Election-sensitive reports will be considered late if they are filed after their due date, but prior to four days before the election. [Election sensitive reports are those filed immediately before an election and include pre-primary, pre-special, pre-general, October Quarterly, and October monthly reports.] Committees filing reports outside of these parameters will be considered non-filers.

Late and Non-Filed Reports