By Allison Peck
Nebraska candidates and political committees face another campaign finance reporting deadline Monday, Oct. 26, giving voters a closer look at the money coming into campaigns and how it is being spent in the final days before the general election.
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission lists Oct. 26 as the deadline for the second general-election campaign statement. The report covers financial activity from Sept. 30 through Oct. 19, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.
The reports can show how much money candidates raised, who contributed to their campaigns and where that money went. They also give voters a way to compare campaign finances as candidates make their final push before Election Day.
Under Nebraska law, candidates seeking state or local office who raise, receive or spend more than $5,000 in a calendar year for their campaigns must register a candidate committee and file periodic financial reports. Those reports disclose campaign receipts and expenditures, including details about certain contributions and payments.
Political action committees, political party committees and ballot question committees also have reporting requirements when they meet the applicable thresholds. Their filings can provide information about spending to support or oppose candidates and ballot measures.
The commission makes campaign finance records available to the public through its online filing system, known as FirstTuesday. Users can search for individual candidates and committees, review contributions and expenditures, and compare financial activity by political race.
The Oct. 26 deadline is not the final opportunity to see campaign financial activity before voters head to the polls. Nebraska also requires reports on certain contributions of $1,000 or more received during the 14 days immediately before an election. Those reports must generally be filed within two days of receiving the contribution.
The late-contribution reporting period for the Nov. 3 general election runs from Oct. 20 through Nov. 2. That means additional financial disclosures may become available during the final stretch of the campaign.
Voters can review campaign finance reports through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission’s online filing system.
The commission’s full filing schedule is available on its official election dates page.