03132015 - News Article - Final notice for candidates who file late finance reports

Final notice for candidates who file late finance reports
NWI Times
Mar 13, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/final-notice-for-candidates-who-file-late-financereports/article_4077567e-53c4-5410-b562-435ba3400697.html
VALPARAISO | No one can remember if or when a fine has ever been imposed on political candidates in Porter County for not filing their financial reports on time.

That could change.

The Porter County Election Board on Friday agreed to send a "final warning" to all candidates who file late, that an Indiana statute will be followed and fines can be imposed.

The warning comes on the heels of the Porter County Democratic Central Committee filing a complaint against Portage Mayor James Snyder for not filing his campaign finance report on time.

Democrat Party Chairman Jeff Chidester said he felt it was important to send a message to all the people who have not filed their reports in a timely fashion and that it will no longer be tolerated.

"Regardless if it's Democrats or Republicans," he said.

Election Board President David Bengs said the board has to give them a chance to let them know it's coming.

"Game's over," he said. "It's time. (We'll) send out a notice that we'll  start following the statute. This is the rule, this is the law, it's time to start following it."

Fines for late filing can reach up to $1,000.

The board also plans to look at how to address candidates who file defective reports just to get them in on time.

The board also addressed a Democratic Central Committee's complaint that Snyder's reports had violations such as corporation contributions disguised as "other organizations" that have donated more than the limit imposed by the state of $2,000.

Kenard Taylor, Snyder's campaign treasurer, said they have begun that refund process by hand delivering refund checks. Taylor said Snyder's primary election finance report will show all of the checks and amounts that have been returned. Primary finance reports are due by noon April 17.

The board also approved three early voting sites. In Valparaiso, it will be room 309 in the Porter County Administration building. In Portage, it will be at the clerk's office rotunda in the Porter County Annex building on Willowcreek Road. Chesterton's location will remain at Town Hall.