§ 17-25.2-5. Reporting by ballot question advocates.
(a) Every ballot-question advocate shall file periodic reports signed by an individual
responsible for its contents on a form prescribed by the board of elections setting
forth the name and address of the ballot-question advocate, including any other name
under which the ballot-question advocate conducts ballot-question advocacy, the name
and address of the person filing the report; and
(1) The name, address and, if applicable, the place of employment of each person making
a contribution or contributions that in the aggregate exceed one thousand-eight hundred
dollars ($1,800) per election cycle to a ballot-question advocate for purposes of
ballot question advocacy and the amount contributed by each person or source; provided,
however, this information shall be reported only if:
(i) The contributions received by a ballot-question advocate are solicited in any way,
including by written, electronic, or verbal means, by the ballot-question advocate
specifically for ballot-question advocacy; or
(ii) The contributions were specifically designated by the contributor for ballot-question
advocacy; or
(iii) The ballot question advocate knew or had reason to know that the contributor intended
or expected that the majority of the contributions be used for ballot question advocacy;
and
(2) The name and address of every person or entity receiving an expenditure for ballot-question
advocacy, which in the aggregate exceeds one hundred dollars ($100), the amount of
each expenditure for ballot-question advocacy, and the total amount of expenditures
for ballot-question advocacy made by the ballot-question advocate as of the last report
date; and
(3) A statement of the position of the ballot-question advocate in support of or opposition
to the ballot-question; and
(4) The names and addresses of all identified members or endorsing organizations, corporations,
and/or associations that authorize the ballot-question advocate to represent to the
public that they support the positions of the ballot-question advocate; and
(5) The name and address of at least one of the officers of the ballot question advocate,
if any, or one individual that is responsible for the ballot question advocate's compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The first report must be filed by a ballot-question advocate for the period beginning
when the ballot-question advocate expends a cumulative total that exceeds one thousand
dollars ($1,000) for ballot-question advocacy and ending the last day of the first
full month following such date, to be filed with the board of elections due no later
than seven (7) days after the end of the month. A ballot-question advocate must thereafter
file calendar month reports with the board of elections due no later than seven (7)
days after the end of the month; provided, that in lieu of filing for the last full
calendar month preceding the ballot question election, a report must be filed due
no later than seven (7) days before the election.
(c) A ballot-question advocate must file a final report of contributions received and
expenditures made for ballot-question advocacy no later than thirty (30) days after
the election for the ballot question is held subject to the provisions of § 17-25.2-6. All reports filed with the board of elections must be received no later than 4:00
p.m. on the due date.
(d)(1) The board of elections may, for good cause shown and upon receipt of a written or
electronic request, grant a seven (7) day extension for filing a report; provided,
however, that the request must be received no later than the date and time upon which
the report is due to be filed, and further if the election for the ballot question
is to be held less than seven (7) days from the report due date and time, the report
must be filed prior to the election date.
(2) Any ballot-question advocate required to file reports with the board of elections
pursuant to this section and who has not filed the report by the required date and
time, unless granted an extension by the board, shall be fined twenty-five dollars
($25.00).
(3) The board of elections shall send a notice of noncompliance, by certified mail, to
the ballot-question advocate who fails to file the reports required by this section.
A ballot-question advocate that has been sent a notice of noncompliance and fails
to file the required report within seven (7) days of the receipt of the notice shall
be fined two dollars ($2.00) per day from the date of the receipt of the notice of
noncompliance until the day the report is received by the board of elections. Notwithstanding
any of the provisions of this section, the board of election shall have the authority
to waive late filing fees for good cause shown.