Pennsylvania Extends Deadline for Annual Campaign Finance Reports Due to Severe Winter Storm

Harrisburg, PA -- Gov. Wolf signed an executive order today extending the annual campaign finance reporting deadline due to weather conditions. The deadline, which by statute is January 31, will be extended one additional day for each business day, or part of a business day, this week that the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office and county election offices are closed. The executive order stipulates that the deadline may not be extended beyond 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5.

Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, political committees, candidates for public office and contributing lobbyists must file annual campaign finance reports by Jan. 31 of each year or, in the event Jan. 31 falls on a Sunday, on the next business day. These reports must be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and county boards of election.

Gov. Wolf proclaimed a disaster emergency today in response to a continuing severe winter weather event in the commonwealth that closed the Capitol Complex, including Department of State offices, and many county election offices.

The Department of State encourages filers to use the new option, under Act 2020-15, of emailing campaign finance reports and statements to ensure that their forms are received by the deadline. Filers who are required to file with the Department of State may email their report and unsworn declaration form to RA-stcampaignfinance@pa.gov or drop them in the department’s blue drop box in front of the Keystone Building at 400 North St., Harrisburg. Campaign finance reports that are mailed must be postmarked by the day before the deadline to be considered timely.

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