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Political parties

Missouri Democratic Party Faces Scrutiny Over Election Law Compliance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Missouri Democratic Party has been criticized by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) over its ability to follow federal election law in two separate enforcement actions made public this year. The party has been audited, fined, or questioned about complying with the law in six consecutive election cycles, raising concerns about its ability to properly track funds between federal and nonfederal accounts. The FEC has strict rules on tracking money used for state and federal races due to differences in the laws governing those races.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Missouri Democratic Party has been audited, fined, or questioned by the FEC about complying with election law in six consecutive election cycles.
  • The party was fined $110,000 in 2005 and $20,000 in 2006 over similar allegations of election law violations.
  • The FEC has raised concerns about the party's ability to properly track funds between federal and nonfederal accounts, which may have led to spending state money in the 2003-2004 Senate race in violation of federal law.
  • The party was unable to properly account for $1.2 million transferred between its federal and nonfederal accounts in the 2003-2004 election cycle.
  • The FEC had reached a settlement agreement with the state party over allegations of election law violations in 2005-2006, but the terms of the agreement, including hiring an outside consultant to oversee financial transactions, have not been met.
  • The Missouri Democratic Party has paid fines totaling $130,000 since 2005 over allegations of election law violations.

Statistics:

  • The Missouri Democratic Party has been audited, fined, or questioned by the FEC in six consecutive election cycles.
  • The party was fined $110,000 in 2005 and $20,000 in 2006 over election law violations.
  • $1.2 million in transfers between state and federal accounts could not be properly accounted for by the party in the 2003-2004 election cycle.
  • The FEC has not audited the Missouri Republican Party since the 1999-2000 election cycle.
  • The Missouri Democratic Party paid a fine of $110,000 in 2005 and a $20,000 fine in 2006 over separate allegations of election law violations.

Sources:

  • "Federal Election Commission: Audit of Missouri Democratic State Committee"
  • "FEC imposes sanctions on Missouri Democratic Party" (statesdoes.com)
  • "Missouri Democrats scramble to meet FEC deadline" (Rulin.com)

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