BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CANDIDATE FILING RESPONSIBILITIES
(All are to be filed with the City Clerk.)
Declaration of Intent to Accept Campaign Contributions (DOI) - (MANDATORY).
Candidate must file a DOI before collecting campaign contributions.
Registration of Campaign (RC).
This is optional. Is to be filed only if a candidate wants a campaign committee.
Choosing the Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA).
This is optional. Is to be filed only if candidate wants to collect contributions for more than one campaign at a time.
Campaign Record Keeping - (MANDATORY).
Candidate or campaign committee must keep records of all contributions and expenditures.
Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR) - (MANDATORY).
Must be filed according to appropriate schedule. See election year and/or non-election year schedule.
Two Business Day Report of Contributions Received (TBD) - (MANDATORY).
If a candidate receives contributions of $1,000 or more between the date of the last CCDR and the date of the election, these contributions must be reported within two days of receipt.
Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFDS) - (MANDATORY).
Must be filed 15 days after qualifying as a candidate.
PENALTIES:
o Graduated late fees of $125, $250, and $1,000 are imposed for failure to timely file CCDRs and PFDSs; and candidates and public officers are prohibited from using campaign funds to pay late fees.
o Additional fees, fines, and civil penalties may apply if 45 days or more late or failure to file.
o Filing false documentation with the Commission could either be a misdemeanor, with a possible jail term of up to one year in prison, or a civil violation of the Campaign Finance Act, depending on the intent of the filer and the nature of the information provided.
CONYERS - Qualifying for city council candidates begins in two weeks for this fall's elections.
The qualification period is Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at Conyers City Hall, 1184 Scott St. for candidates running for Conyers City Council seats, which are nonpartisan.
Fees are $72 for city council candidates.
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, have resided in Conyers for at least a year and be able to vote in the district for which they're running. If they are elected, they must reside in their district and must remain a registered voter during the four years of their service and may not hold any other city office or city employment during that time.
If elected, officials are expected to attend city council meetings that occur the first and third Wednesdays of the month, 7 p.m., at 1194 Scott Street. Council members receive a monthly compensation of $75.
The required forms and general requirements of candidacy for public office can be found at www.ethics.ga.gov. The forms must be filed with City Clerk and City Elections Supervisor Pat Smith.
Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with City operations, the City of Conyers Charter, and City Ordinances. All ordinances can be found online at www.municode.com, and follow the links to Conyers, Georgia.
All candidates running for office are also advised to familiarize themselves with the Georgia Ethics in Government Act, the Constitution of the State of Georgia, and the Rules and Regulations of the State Election Board. The website is www.gmanet.com. They should also familiarize themselves with the guidelines set forth by the Georgia Government Transparency Campaign Finance Commission.
The seats up for election are Councilman District 2, District 3, and District 4.
Incumbents are District 2 Councilman Vince Evans, District 3 Councilman Gerald Hinesley, District 4 Councilman John Fountain. All three are running for reelection. Evans has held the office since 2000, Hinesley since 2002, and Fountain since 2012.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CANDIDATE FILING RESPONSIBILITIES
(All are to be filed with the City Clerk.)
Declaration of Intent to Accept Campaign Contributions (DOI) - (MANDATORY).
Candidate must file a DOI before collecting campaign contributions.
Registration of Campaign (RC).
This is optional. Is to be filed only if a candidate wants a campaign committee.
Choosing the Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA).
This is optional. Is to be filed only if candidate wants to collect contributions for more than one campaign at a time.
Campaign Record Keeping - (MANDATORY).
Candidate or campaign committee must keep records of all contributions and expenditures.
Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR) - (MANDATORY).
Must be filed according to appropriate schedule. See election year and/or non-election year schedule.
Two Business Day Report of Contributions Received (TBD) - (MANDATORY).
If a candidate receives contributions of $1,000 or more between the date of the last CCDR and the date of the election, these contributions must be reported within two days of receipt.
Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFDS) - (MANDATORY).
Must be filed 15 days after qualifying as a candidate.
PENALTIES:
o Graduated late fees of $125, $250, and $1,000 are imposed for failure to timely file CCDRs and PFDSs; and candidates and public officers are prohibited from using campaign funds to pay late fees.
o Additional fees, fines, and civil penalties may apply if 45 days or more late or failure to file.
o Filing false documentation with the Commission could either be a misdemeanor, with a possible jail term of up to one year in prison, or a civil violation of the Campaign Finance Act, depending on the intent of the filer and the nature of the information provided.
