Lehigh County - Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance

Candidates are responsible for keeping careful records of all contributions received and any expenditures made in support of their run for office. Simply put, any financial activities directed toward influencing an election must be reported. This not only includes the candidate, but committees and private individuals as well.

Opening A Committee

Often a candidate will authorize a committee to accept contributions and make expenditures on his or her behalf. This committee must have a chairperson and a treasurer. The candidate can be his own chairperson, but not his own treasurer. Forms for opening a committee are available at the Election Board Office or can be obtained from the Department of States web site (see Links below).

Reporting Contributions / Expenses

A campaign finance reporting schedule is mandated by law and due dates are specified as follows:

Sixth Tuesday Pre-Primary/Election (Statewide Offices only)
Second Friday Pre-Primary/Election
Thirty Day Post Primary/Election
Annual Report

A detailed list of reporting dates is available at the Election Board Office. If receipts and/or expenditures during a specific reporting period exceed $250, a report of these must be filed. If the amount is less than $250, a statement is filed in lieu of a report.

Campaign Finance Forms

Many Campaign Finance forms are now available online*. Instructions appear at the end of the documents.

Campaign Finance Report (DSEB-502)

(Large file size PDF. This will take a few moments to download)

This form is intended for the use of candidates, political committees and contributing lobbyists that are required to disclose contributions and expenditures. (further instructions available with form)

Campaign Finance Report (DSEB-503)

You may file this statement in lieu of a full report when the amount of contributions (including in-kind contributions) received, the amount of money expended, and the liablilities incurred each did not exceed $250.00 during the reporting period. (further instructions available with form)

Political Committee Registration Statement (DSEB-500)

Use this form to register a new political committee. You may also use it to amend the original registration when the committee appoints a new chairperson or treasurer, or changes any other required information.

Authorization for a Political Committee to Receive Funds on Behalf of a Candidate (DSEB-501)

The Pennsylvania Election Code provides that no treasurer of a political committee shall receive any money on behalf of a candidate until such political committee has been authorized in writing by the candidate on a form designed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. (further instructions available with form)

Non-Bid Contract Reporting Form - Section 1641 (DSEB-504)

This form is to be used by any corporation, association, partnership, sole proprietorship or other business entity which has been awarded any non-bid contract from the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions to report certain individual political contributions. (further instructions available with form)

Independent Expenditure Reporting Form (DSEB-505)

If you make an Independent Expenditure (an expenditure not in cooperation or consultation with any candidate or candidate's political committee) to influence the outcome of the election of a candidate or ballot question, you must file this report if the expenditure exceeds $100 in a calendar year. (further instructions available with form)

Twentyfour (24) Hour Reporting Form

Section 1628 of the Campaign Finance Reporting Law requires any candidate or political committee, authorized by a candidate and created solely for the purpose of influencing an election on behalf of that candidate, which receives any contribution or pledge of five hundred dollars ($500) or more after the final pre-primary/pre-election report has been deemed completed shall report such contribution to the appropriate supervisor. The candidate, chairperson or treasurer of the political committee shall send the report of late contributions within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the contribution. These contributions must be reported through and including the day of the primary/election.

Countywide Candidates are required to submit PDF copies of all Campaign Finance Reports via email to CampaignFinance@lehighcounty.org by the following deadlines:

Type of Report
Complete as of
Filing Deadline
2012 Annual Report December 31, 2012 January 31, 2013

Second Friday Pre-Primary
May 6, 2013
May 10, 2013
Thirty Day Post-Primary
June 10, 2013
June 20, 2013
Second Friday Pre-Election
October 21, 2013
October 25, 2013
Thirty Day Post-Election
November 25, 2013
December 5, 2013
2013 Annual Report
December 31, 2013
January 31, 2014