We have received several questions recently about campaign funding and reporting, particularly as campaign activity becomes more visible across the community. This article is intended to help clarify how campaign activity relates to campaign contributions—and what the law generally requires when it comes to reporting.
Understanding these requirements matters because campaign finance disclosures are one of the primary ways voters can see how campaigns are supported and make informed decisions based on publicly available information.
This information is provided for general understanding only and is not intended as legal advice, an official interpretation of the law, or an allegation regarding any individual or campaign.
Questions Voters May Consider
As voters review campaign activity and publicly available reports, some helpful questions to consider include:
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What types of campaign activity are visible in the community?
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How are those activities typically funded?
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What information is available in campaign finance reports?
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When were the most recent reports filed?
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Do reported contributions align with publicly available information?
Campaign finance disclosures are designed to provide transparency and reviewing them can help voters better understand how campaigns are supported.
What is Campaign Activity
What Counts as a Campaign Contribution
When we talk about campaign activity, we are referring to the visible efforts used to support a candidate, such as:
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Campaign signs and roadside visibility
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Shirts, hats, and other promotional materials
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Advertising (mailers, digital ads, print)
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Events, fundraisers, and public appearances
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Organized outreach or volunteer efforts
These activities are a normal and expected part of any campaign. Some are funded directly by the campaign, while others may be supported by individuals or groups.
Campaign activity is often supported by campaign contributions, but the two are not the same.
Under Kentucky law, a contribution includes:
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Money given to a campaign
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Goods (like signs or materials)
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Services (such as printing, advertising, or consulting)
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Payments made on behalf of a campaign
These are often referred to as monetary and in-kind contributions. Even if no money changes hands, providing goods or services to a campaign can still count as a contribution if it has value.
For example:
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Purchasing campaign signs for a candidate → contribution
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Paying for advertising on a candidate’s behalf → contribution
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Donating printed materials → contribution
What About Volunteers?
Not all campaign activity is considered a contribution.
The law makes an important distinction:
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Unpaid volunteer work is not a contribution.
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Individuals can volunteer their time freely without triggering reporting requirements.
However:
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If someone is paid by another person or organization to work for a campaign, that can become a reportable contribution.
This distinction is important because it separates grassroots support from financial backing.
When Must Candidates Report Contributions?
Candidates must first file a Statement of Intent with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance within five days of beginning campaign activity, such as receiving contributions or making expenditures.
Campaign contributions are not reported in real time. Instead, candidates must file periodic reports that cover defined time periods.
| Before an Election | After an Election |
|---|---|
| 60 days before the election (general election only) | 30 days after the election |
| 30 days before the election | 60 days post-election report (if there is money or debt) |
| 15 days before the election |
| Ongoing |
|---|
| Annual reports (and sometimes quarterly for certain candidates) until the campaign account is closed |
| Partial Reporting (Candidates Under $5,000) |
|---|
| If a candidate declares they will raise/spend $5,000 or less, they can use a partial exemption, which means they generally only file a post-election report (30 days after the election) |
| ***This means: contributions may already have been raised but they may not appear in public reports yet depending on the reporting schedule |
**Edit: Filing deadlines are found in chapter 8 of the attached source document. For questions not answered in this article, please refer to the Candidate Guide to Campaign Finance provided by the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.