Campaign finance agencies in Delaware
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In Delaware, there are two primary agencies involved in campaign finance regulation: the Delaware Department of Elections and the Delaware Attorney General. The former oversees the campaign finance reporting process and enacts and enforces necessary regulations. The latter prosecutes criminal violations of the law.[1]
Delaware Department of Elections
Authority
The state elections department is authorized to oversee campaign finance reporting processes for candidates and political committees. In addition, the department is authorized "to enact rules and regulations to implement and enforce" Delaware's campaign finance laws. The elections department can levy fines against individuals or groups that fail to file timely reports. More serious violations of the law are prosecuted by the state attorney general.[2]
Organization
The department is led by a commissioner. The elections commissioner is appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Delaware State Senate. The commissioner serves a four-year term.[1]
The Delaware State Board of Elections is the department's governing body. The board comprises 10 members, all of whom are appointed by the governor. Five board members must be Democrats and five must be Republicans. The elections commissioner serves as an ex officio member of the board. The table below lists board members as of August 2015.[1]
| Delaware State Board of Elections—members as of August 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Party | Position |
| Elaine Manlove |  Democratic |
Commissioner (ex officio) |
| Sharon A. Williams-Mayo | Democratic |
Member |
| Kay Sandstrom | Democratic |
Member |
| John N. Pasquale, Jr. | Democratic |
Member |
| Karen H. Pugh | Democratic |
Member |
| Lawrence Smith | Democratic |
Member |
| James A. Sterling, III |  Republican |
Member |
| Kim Warfield | Republican |
Member |
| Marilyn P. Whittington | Republican |
Member |
| Denise Tatman | Republican |
Member |
| Gregory Chambers | Republican |
Member |
| Source: Delaware Department of Elections, "About Agency," accessed August 10, 2015 | ||
Agency budget, 2014
In fiscal year 2014, general fund spending for the state elections department totaled $3.9 million. See the table below for further details.[3]
| Delaware Department of Elections—general fund spending in fiscal year 2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Budgeted amount | Actual spending | Variance |
| $4,400,000 | 3,900,000 | 500,000 |
| Source: Delaware Department of Finance, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014," accessed August 10, 2015 | ||
Delaware Attorney General
- See also: Delaware Attorney General
Authority
State law stipulates that the Delaware Superior Court has jurisdiction over all criminal violations of campaign finance law. The attorney general's office is responsible for prosecuting cases on behalf of the state in the Superior Court.[4][5]
Organization
Delaware's attorney general serves as the state's chief law enforcement officer. As of August 2015, the state's attorney general was Matt Denn. At that time, the office of the attorney general employed more than 400 people. The agency comprises five divisions:[6]
- Criminal Division
- Civil Division
- Family Division
- Fraud and Consumer Protection Division
- Civil Rights and Public Trust Division
The Criminal Division is responsible for criminal campaign finance violations.[5]
Contact information
Delaware Department of Elections
- 905 S. Governors Ave., Suite 170
- Dover, Delaware 19904
- Telephone: (302) 739-4277
- Email: [email protected]
Delaware Attorney General, Criminal Division
- 820 N. French St.
- Wilmington, Delaware 19801
- Telephone: (302) 577-8400
- Email: [email protected]
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Delaware Department of Elections, "About Agency," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, "Title 1: Authorities, Boards and Commissions; Delaware Administrative Code: 901 Campaign Finance Regulations," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Delaware Department of Finance, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Delaware Code, "Title 15, Chapter 80, Section 8043," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Delaware Attorney General, "About the Criminal Division," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Delaware Attorney General, "About the Office," accessed August 10, 2015
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