New campaign finance rule impacts local officeholders

Beginning July 1, Indiana law requires all elected officials earning more than $5,000 per year to maintain an active candidate’s committee throughout their entire term, regardless of whether they plan to seek re-election.

The new rule comes as part of House Enrolled Act 1679, approved by the Indiana General Assembly during its 2025 session. Under the measure, the legal definition of “candidate” was expanded to include sitting officeholders who are subject to campaign finance reporting requirements. That means current officials must open and maintain a campaign finance committee and file annual CFA-4 reports even if they have no campaign fundraising or expenditures during their term.

Officials who do not already have a candidate’s committee on file must submit a CFA-1 (Statement of Organization) to the Scott County Election Board no later than Friday, July 11, at 12:00 p.m.

Reports may show zero activity, but the committee must remain open and compliant with all reporting deadlines.

Questions about the new requirements can be directed to the Scott County Elections Board at (812) 752-8420 Ext. 4 or by visiting the Scott County Clerk’s Office.