Political Action Committee Registration
Before contributions are accepted, disbursements made, or
obligations are incurred an organization supporting or opposing a candidate for
state or local office, supporting or opposing a referendum question, or
supporting another political committee registered in Wisconsin is required to
register (Form GAB-1).
In State Political Action Committees
A political action committee is any political committee consisting
of at least two individuals, other than a candidate committee or a political
party committee, which receives contributions, makes disbursements, or incurs
obligations for the purpose of influencing the election or defeat of candidates
to state or local office.
Political actions committees (PACs) are most often sponsored by
corporations, labor unions, or trade associations. However, any organization of
two or more individuals may form a political action committee.
PACs are required to register in Wisconsin whether or not the committee is a
resident committee or an out-of-state organization.
Out of State
Political Action Committees
Political
action committees are required to register (Form GAB-1) with the Wisconsin
Government Accountability Board if they make contributions or distributions in
elections or referenda in Wisconsin.
If the committee is sponsored by a corporation which pays administrative or
solicitation expenses for the committee, the corporation must register (Form
GAB-11) as well.
Nonresident means a
registrant which does not maintain an office or street address in Wisconsin. While
nonresident committees are not required to maintain a bank account in Wisconsin, they are
required to file the name, mailing and street address of a designated agent
within the state with the office of the Secretary of State, located at:
30
West Mifflin Street, 9th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin
53702.
The Government
Accountability Board assigned I.D. number must appear on all checks for
contributions or disbursements made in Wisconsin.
Special Note of Registration
PACs should only
register with the GAB if the organization’s activity will affect a state
referendum or election to state office. These offices include: statewide
partisan offices, legislative offices, district attorney, state superintendent
of public instructions, and all judicial offices except municipal judges.
Please register with
the appropriate local filing officer if your organization will be active in a
local referendum or local office election.
To register follow these three
steps:
Step 1 contains the form GAB-1 in
electronic format. This is the PAC Registration Statement and is where all
necessary committee information will be entered.
Step 2 is a confirmation screen.
It allows you to see the completed GAB-1 form as it will be printed and to
check it for errors.
Step 3 allows you to complete the
committee registration process by printing, signing, and mailing the forms that
have been generated.
Please Remember to
sign and mail the registration forms to the GAB. We cannot activate your
registration without this paperwork and as a result, you could be subject to
forfeitures.
Government
Accountability Board
P.O. Box 7984
Madison, WI 53707-7984