Credit Cards One or more credit accounts may be established for each campaign bank account. A single credit card, however, may not be designated for more than one campaign bank account. In addition, payment of charges on a credit account must be made only from the appropriate campaign bank account. In lieu of establishing a new credit account, a candidate may designate an existing personal credit card with a zero balance as the campaign credit card by listing the card number and date of designation in the campaign records. The candidate must ensure that no personal expenses are charged to this account until after all campaign charges have been paid with funds from the campaign bank account. Once all campaign expenses charged to the account have been paid, the candidate may resume using the card for personal purposes. Petty Cash Candidates may use campaign funds to establish a petty cash fund at each campaign office so long as the following conditions are met:
• A petty cash fund may not hold more than $100 at any time.
• No expenditure of $100 or more may be made from the fund.
• The fund may be used only for expenses associated with the election to the specific office or for the expenses of holding the office for which the petty cash fund was established. • Once the funds are spent, payments made from petty cash must be reported as expenditures. Legal Defense Fund Committees The Act permits a local candidate or elected officer to establish a legal defense fund if the candidate or officer is subject to civil, criminal or administrative proceedings arising directly out of the conduct of an election campaign, the electoral process, or the performance of the officer’s governmental duties. Contributions raised for legal defense must be held in a separate bank account . Any funds raised
Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov
Chapter 3.10
Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 173
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