Opinion El.Bd. 74-1

Local union affiliate which acts solely as a conduit in collecting and transferring pre-determined contribution to state organization need not register as a political committee.  (Issue to Alfred G. Goldberg, July 30, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-2

A committee may make maximum contributions to a candidate in a primary calculated from his total disbursement limitation in both the primary and election, provided that no further contributions are made after the primary. (Issued to Alfred G. Goldberg, July 24, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-3

Federal authorization of spending limits which are in excess of those provided by state law in campaigns for U.S. congressman is not governing in determining compliance by Wisconsin candidates for national office.  Federal spending limitations upon a candidate and members of his immediate family are consistent with state contribution limitations for these specific contributors.  (Issued to Alan C. Cole, August 6, 1974)

Opinion El. Bd. 74-4

Communications mediums offering space to incumbent candidate for newsletter without printing statutory identification does not fall within regulation of campaign finance law.  (Issued to James C. Coxe, August 6, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-5

A candidate’s contributions to his own campaign for local office (except in Milwaukee County) are limited to 7˝  % of his disbursement limitation.  A candidate may receive individual contributions not exceeding 5% of the limitation from a spouse, children, or relative, provided that the funds or property are their own.  (Issued to Richard C. Kelly, August 28, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-6

A candidate-incumbent who distributes business cards to members of the public who are without normal cause to have business with him would be required to include statutory identification.  If such a person places newspaper ads identifying himself, the information may also be required, absent a non-political rationale for such placement.  (Issued to Richard C. Kelly, August 28, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd 74-7

Nonresidents designating an agent in Wisconsin are not exempted from political registration and reporting.  Certain transactions by nonresident committees and groups are not reportable if they can be segregated.  Section 11.07(5), Stats., does not prevent the acceptance of a contribution from any unregistered individuals under s.11.07(1), Stats.  (Issued to Raymond Majerus, August 28, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-9

A campaign worker may make an authorized disbursement exceeding $25 in support of a candidate and receive subsequent reimbursement from the campaign fund by negotiable instrument if the disbursement is verified by a receipt.  (Issued to James W. Mohr, Jr.,

Opinion El.Bd. 74-10(Rev)

The name and address of each contributor making a single contribution of $10 or less need not be recorded by a campaign treasurer, but the treasurer is under a statutory duty to exercise a “good faith” effort to seek to obtain such information if he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a contributor’s aggregate contribution has or will exceed $10.  (Issued to James W. Mohr, Jr., September 19, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-11

A political party treasurer may be appointed by a candidate as his campaign treasurer.  Separate bank accounts must be maintained so that a candidate’s funds are not intermingled with the party treasury.  (Issued to Thomas S. Sliek, August 23, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd 74-13

Local affiliate union which makes contributions from its treasury in its own discretion is subject to financial registration notwithstanding ultimate distribution of funds by a separate regional organization.  (Issued to Walter F. Kelly, September 19, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-15

A campaign treasurer holds the power to return residual contributions to donors, in whole or in part, after a campaign has been completed.  (Issued to Ervin C. Marquardt, September 25, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-16

Out-of-pocket costs assumed by the host of a party held for political purposes are reportable if funds are raised at the party with the knowledge of the host.  Such contributions may be made “in-kind” with the consent of a candidate’s treasurer.  Certain costs of fund-raising events, although reportable, are excludable from disbursement limitations.  An item donated for resale is reportable but only the net proceeds of the sale need be reported after the item is sold.  (Issued to Kate Barbash, October 31, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-17

A candidates’ personal traveling expenses or the personal expenses of his campaign workers are not reportable.  If a candidate or worker is reimbursed for or provided with transportation by his committee or by another party, the actual cost is reportable.  A gifts of car tops is valued at the replacement cost at the time of transfer.  (Issued to William P Vogel, October 31, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-18

Corporations may make disbursements for political purposes for the purpose of communication only with members, shareholder, patrons, and subscribers thereof.  Section 11.38(2), Stats., permits the establishment of a segregated fund for the purpose of making corporate contributions or disbursements for a political purpose.  (Issued to Harry F. Franke, November 27, 1974)

Opinion El.Bd. 74-19

The term “district” contained in sec. 1131(1)(j), Stats., as it related to the limitation on disbursements by a candidate elected at large from throughout a city , means the entire city.  (Issued to Ted Fisher, November 27, 1974)