Elections

Local candidates and campaigns follow Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211A and local laws, and file with their local filing officer, Nicole Morcomb, Backus City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer. 

Campaign finance reports are required by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211A for candidates for City offices. They are also required for committees formed to support or defeat a candidate or ballot question. 

Certificate of Filing

All candidates or committees must file a Certificate of Filing within 7 days of a general or special election in which their name is on the ballot. On this form, the candidate or committee treasurer affirms that either 1) all required campaign finance reports have been filed, or 2) the candidate or committee did not raise or spend more than $750.00 in that calendar year. 

Reporting Schedule

Once a candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00, they must file a Campaign Financial Report until they file a Final Report. Any filings must include all information required by Minnesota Statutes 211A.02, subd. 2. 

• Initial Report: must be filed within 14 days after a candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00. Additional required reports must be filed once an Initial Report is filed. 
• Year-End Report: due on January 31st of each year after the Initial Report is filed. 
• Final Report: a candidate or committee may file a Final Report once all debts are paid and all assets in excess of $100 in the aggregate are disposed of. Filing a Final Report ends campaign reporting activity, so a new Initial Report must be filed if the candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00 after this point. 

All forms can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, or by contacting Administrator Nicole Morcomb by email at [email protected].