Campaign finance seminar scheduled
By Kevin Risner, krisner@advertiser-tribune.com
A campaign finance seminar is set for August 12 in Tiffin. Two separate sessions are to be held at Seneca County Job and Family Services on TR 151.
"The board is happy that we're hosting this campaign finance seminar," Seneca County Board of Elections Deputy Director Jane Sheeley said. "Seneca County has never done it before, so we're very excited about it. It does help the local candidates, their treasurers and the committees."
Sheeley said those who attend should learn a lot.
"It's a very good seminar," Sheeley said. "The secretary of state puts on a good seminar, so we're looking forward to it."
Sheeley said she has sent information about the seminar to local candidates. People who are interested in coming - potential candidates, managers or treasurers of committees, political party officials, or anyone seeking to understand campaign finance issues better - must register with the secretary of state's office by sending a registration form or registering online.
To register online, a person can visit www.sos.state.
oh.us.
There is no cost for the seminar.
Registration is required because of space limitations. Each session is limited to 100 people, Sheeley said.
The seminar in Tiffin is to be one of five to be held throughout the state during August. Other seminar locations are Revenna, Marietta, Lebanon and Delaware.
The rules, regulations and specifics of reporting are to be presented with an emphasis on simplifying the complexities of campaign finance, seminar information said. Time is to be set aside for questions.
Topics to be discussed include establishing a new committee; forms and instructions; where and when reports are filed; properly reporting contributions, expenditures and loans; the role of a treasurer; permitted activities and prohibited activities; penalties; the Ohio Election Commission; common mistakes and electronic filing.
"It's not for the public. It's mainly for candidates," Sheeley said. "I sent everybody who is on the ballot this year and for next year. I sent them an invitation."
Candidates from surrounding counties are to be invited to attend the Tiffin seminar as well.
