Regarding political campaign finance rules and laws: who is responsible for enforcing these rules and laws and what are the consequences to politicians for not following the rules or obeying the laws?
Rules also depend on what office you're talking about. As a candidate for Tucson City Council and participant in the Public Matching Funds program, the rules I have to abide by are primarily defined by the city charter (though there is some intersection with state law).
County and state offices primarily fall under state law. Federal offices fall under FEC. Or at least that's how it was explained to me, and I am not an expert or lawyer.
Regarding political campaign finance rules and laws: who is responsible for enforcing these rules and laws and what are the consequences to politicians for not following the rules or obeying the laws?
Rules also depend on what office you're talking about. As a candidate for Tucson City Council and participant in the Public Matching Funds program, the rules I have to abide by are primarily defined by the city charter (though there is some intersection with state law).
County and state offices primarily fall under state law. Federal offices fall under FEC. Or at least that's how it was explained to me, and I am not an expert or lawyer.
The important aspect is that the state (and to a lesser extent the city) do not actively enforce every aspect of the reports.
Chris, fwiw, they are more vigilant on its matching funds program.
It is a complicated mine field and it depends on what jurisdiction we are talking about.
Generally speaking, it is often complaint driven and lawsuits are regularly filed to enforce the laws.
The FEC generally does respond to complaints without it involving lawyers.