Direct Campaign Expenditures

Filing a Direct Campaign Expenditure Campaign Finance Report

A person not acting in concert with another person who makes one or more direct campaign expenditures (DCE) in an election from the person’s own property that exceed $170 is required to file a report with the Texas Ethics Commission to disclose the expenditure(s), in accordance with section 254.261 of the Election Code. A person includes an individual or an entity. You are a filer type DCE.

If you are a Political Committee (a group of persons), you do not file this type of report. See the filing information for Political Committees.

A direct campaign expenditure is an expenditure made by any person in connection with a campaign for an elective office or on a measure that does not constitute a contribution. Direct campaign expenditures are made without the prior consent or approval of the candidate or officeholder on whose behalf the expenditure was made. If an expenditure is made in connection with a measure, then it will constitute a direct campaign expenditure if it is not a political contribution to a political committee supporting or opposing the measure.

Example 1: A corporation purchases a billboard that supports Jane Doe for school board. The corporation is not acting in concert with another person and spends more than $170 of its own money on the billboard. Jane Doe has not given prior consent or approval for the billboard and has not otherwise coordinated with the corporation. The corporation will be required to file a DCE report as an entity with the Commission to disclose the expenditure for the billboard. The DCE report is due by the next deadline applicable to a GPAC as if it were involved in the election. Note that if Jane Doe had coordinated with the corporation then the transaction could constitute a prohibited corporate political contribution, which is a felony of the third degree.

Example 2: Juan Garcia decides to buy yard signs that support a ballot measure. Juan Garcia is not acting in concert with another person and spends more than $170 of his own money on the signs. There is also a local SPAC that supports the ballot measure, but the SPAC has not given prior consent or approval for the yard signs and has not otherwise coordinated with Juan Garcia. Juan Garcia will be required to file a DCE report as an individual with the Commission to disclose the expenditure for the yard signs. The DCE report is due by the next deadline applicable to a GPAC as if it were involved in the election.

A DCE report is only required if you have reportable DCE activity during a reporting period. A DCE filer files on the same schedule as a PAC filer, but unlike a GPAC, DCE filers are not required to file a campaign treasurer appointment and are not subject to ongoing reporting requirements.

To file a DCE report with the TEC, you will need a filer ID. Fill out Form Security-CF and email it to the TEC. You will receive a response email with your Filer ID and information about how to log into the electronic filing application.

If you qualify to file paper reports, remember EACH REPORT must be accompanied by the proper exemption affidavit.

Forms & Instructions