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Looking for Candidate Committee Expenditures?  Check out the Quick Stats from the Guardian.  Also check out the Dashboard for the political advertising spend from the state's 5 major Designated Market Areas (DMAs), Digital/CTV, & Desktop/Mobile gathered by AdImpact.

 

Are you a local candidate needing to register and file reports?  Go to Guardian.OK.Gov to get started.  More resources are available on the Local Campaign page.

Local Campaigns

County, Municipal Campaigns, and Independent School District or Career Technology District Committees receiving in excess of $1,000 or with expenditures in excess of $1,000 are responsible for registering and filing reports with the Ethics Commission.

The Guardian System is in the process of fully integrating the Political Subdivisions (i.e., Local Campaigns: County, Municipal, School/Technology Center Districts). Committees are able to register and file in the Guardian System, however, all of the Public Search aspects are not fully available yet.

In the interim, Committees are able to utilize a simple interim reporting tool located at localcampaignfilings.ok.gov that allows local campaigns and committees to upload Campaign Finance Reports and forms during this transition. Once the Guardian is available for Political Subdivisions all Committees will need to register, pay any registration fees, and file all reports in the online system.  In the interim, Committees will need to maintain all records and be prepared to enter all data in the Guardian once filing for Political Subdivisions is enabled.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is working with our Guardian vendor on updates—expect full capability in the coming month where local campaigns will officially register and complete filings with those filings being available for public search.

During this system transition, the interim reporting tool (Local Campaign Finance Transparency Portal) is the responsible path forward: it's web-based, quick, secure, mobile-friendly, and designed for busy candidates. Candidates can upload documents to ensure records are documented, public trust is maintained, and that they are ready when the Guardian system integrates your jurisdiction.  For more information on the portal please see the section at the bottom of this page. 

Important Documents & Information for All Local Campaigns

Please see the specific jurisdictions below for reference to the appropriate documents, links, and information (i.e., County/Municipality/Schools & Technology Centers).  Many of the resources at this time are meant as reference.  Once reporting for Political Subdivisions is enabled in Guardian, updates will be made to these Resources.  

Local Candidate Resource Packet

Download Here

Candidate Guide

Download

Contribution Chart

View Chart

County Campaigns

County Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act

Download Here

Financial Disclosure Form (For Elected Officials Only)

Download Here

Reporting Dates: File reports quarterly, unless an election is held before the next quarterly report is due. If an election is held use the reporting information below.

Filing schedules will be assigned within the Guardian system for Candidates and Committees by the Commission for Local Government (counties, municipalities, independent school districts, or technology center districts).

Prior to the change on November 1, 2025 the Commission provided the following information to assist filers in determining when reports are due.

County Candidate Checklists

Information

Please note that much of the following information is related to rules prior to changes in Reporting Requirements that are effective November 1, 2025.  These documents were created to educate candidates and committees in specific areas, to provide additional information, and to give direction to assist in following the Ethics Rules.  More resources will be provided once Political Subdivisions are fully integrated into the Guardian.

Note: Filing in the Guardian for County committees has not been fully enabled yet.  Subscribe to the GovDelivery notification at the bottom of this page to ensure you receive updates on when County committees will have the ability to start filing.

Starting November 1, 2025 County committees receiving in excess of $1,000 or with expenditures in excess of $1,000 are required to file reports with the Ethics Commission. Filing will be done in Guardian.

  • Previously (January 2015-October 2025), those Committees filed paper reports with the County Election Board using the following fillable forms for submission.  These resources below are only for reference/educational use as all required filings will be made in the Guardian, once enabled for Political Subdivisions.
Candidate Committee Political Committee

Statement of Organization

Contributions and Expenditures Summary Report

Continuing Report of Contributions

 

Statement of Organization

County Political Committee Summary

Electioneering Communications and Independent Expenditures Report

Each Quarterly or Pre-Election Contributions and Expenditures Report should include a “Contributions and Expenditures Summary” Report and only the applicable schedules (A-J) used for that report.  Candidates continue reporting until a (1) report marked final is filed; and (2) the account is dissolved, in accordance with the Ethics Rules.

Municipal Campaigns

Only municipalities that meet both of the following criteria are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission for Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure. (11 O.S. § 56-103, et seq.).

  1. A population of more than 10,000 according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census; and
  2. A general revenue fund expenditure budget in excess of Ten Million Dollars.

Municipal Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act

Download Here

Financial Disclosure Form (For Elected Officials Only)

Download Here

Reporting Dates: File reports quarterly, unless an election is held before the next quarterly report is due. If an election is held use the Reporting information below.

Filing schedules will be assigned within the Guardian for Candidates and Committees by the Commission for Local Government (counties, municipalities, independent school districts, or technology center districts).

Previous to the change on November 1, 2025 the Commission provided the following information to assist filers in determining when reports are due.

MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN Checklists

MUNICIPAL CLERK Checklists

Information

**Please note that this information is related to rules prior to changes in Reporting Requirements that are effective November 1, 2025.  These documents were created to educate candidates and committees in specific areas, to provide additional information, and to give direction to assist in following the Ethics Rules.  More resources will be provided once Political Subdivisions are fully integrated into the Guardian.

Note: Filing in the Guardian for Municipal committees has not been enabled yet.  Subscribe to the GovDelivery notification at the bottom of this page to ensure you receive updates on when Municipal committees will have the ability to start filing.

Starting November 1, 2025 Municipal committees receiving in excess of $1,000 or with expenditures in excess of $1,000 are required to file reports with the Ethics Commission. Filing will be done in the Guardian.

  • Previously (January 2015-October 2025), those Committees filed paper reports with the Municipal Clerk using the following fillable forms for submission.  These resources below are only for reference/educational use as all required filings will be made in the Guardian, once enabled for Political Subdivisions.
Municipal Candidate Committee Municipal Political Committee

Statement of Organization

Contributions and Expenditures Summary Report

Continuing Report of Contributions

 

Statement of Organization

Municipal Political Committee Summary

Electioneering Communications and Independent Expenditures Report

Each Quarterly or Pre-Election Contributions and Expenditures Report should include a “Contributions and Expenditures Summary” Report and only the applicable schedules (A-J) used for that report.  Candidates continue reporting until a (1) report marked final is filed; and (2) the account is dissolved, in accordance with the Ethics Rules.

School & Technology Center District Campaigns

Technology Center District and School District Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act

Download Here

Financial Disclosure Form (For Elected Officials Only)

Download Here

Reporting Dates: File reports quarterly, unless an election is held before the next quarterly report is due. If an election is held use the Reporting information below.

Filing schedules will be assigned within the Guardian for Candidates and Committees by the Commission for Local Government (counties, municipalities, independent school districts, or technology center districts).

Previous to the change on November 1, 2025 the Commission provided the following information to assist filer's in determining when reports are due.

School district Checklists

school district clerk Checklists

Information

**Please note that this information is related to rules prior to changes in Reporting Requirements that are effective November 1, 2025.  These documents were created to educate candidates and committees in specific areas, to provide additional information, and to give direction to assist in following the Ethics Rules.   More resources will be provided once Poliitical Subdivisions are fully integrated into the Guardian.

Note: Filing in the Guardian for School and Technology Center District committees has not been enabled yet.  Subscribe to the GovDelivery notification at the bottom of this page to ensure you receive updates on when School and Technology Center District committees will have the ability to start filing.

Starting November 1, 2025 School and Technology Center District committees receiving in excess of $1,000 or with expenditures in excess of $1,000 are required to file reports with the Ethics Commission. Filing will be done in the Guardian.

  • Previously, January 2015-November 2025, those Committees filed paper reports with the School District Clerk using the following fillable forms for submission.  These resources below are only for reference/educational use as all required filings will be made in the Guardian, once fully enabled for Political Subdivisions.
ISD-TCD Candidate Committee ISD-TCD Political Committee

Statement of Organization

Contributions and Expenditures Summary Report

Continuing Report of Contributions

 

Statement of Organization

ISD-TCD Political Committee Summary

Electioneering Communications and Independent Expenditures Report

Each Quarterly or Pre-Election Contributions and Expenditures Report should include a “Contributions and Expenditures Summary” Report and only the applicable schedules (A-J) used for that report.  Candidates continue reporting until a (1) report marked final is filed; and (2) the account is dissolved, in accordance with the Ethics Rules.

Description

Access the Local Campaign Finance Transparency Portal via a web-browser at: localcampaignfilings.ok.gov/

 

See this Quick Guide for the Local Campaign Finance Transparency Portal for a condensed step-by-step guide for the Portal.

Have your reports ready to upload?  Click the "I'm a Filer" link and then "Start Filing" to be taken to the page to upload your reports.  You can drag electronic documents (images/pdf) into the browser area from a location or browse files on your computer to upload the documents.  Once uploaded, click "Parse All Documents" (this can take a little bit of time).  You will then be able to click the green 
Review Extracted Data button. 

 

Please make sure to review your data and verify you have an appropriate contact name for the campaign/committee and email associate with the upload.  Once fully reviewed, click the top right "Approve & Submit" button.  You will receive a confirmation number upon submission.  Please save that number for reference as a confirmation email will not be issued.

Need to download the appropriate forms? Filers can access the forms in the appropriate jurisdictional section at the bottom of this page and they can also access them directly from the Local Campaign Finance Transparency Portal.  From the main page, click the "I'm a Filer" link and then scroll down.  Make sure to select the appropriate Jurisdiction and Committee type to be directed to the correct forms.

Public Search Options: The public will be able to access reports and filing details for Local Candidates/Committee Search Filings button located on the top tab of the main landing page.  You can also utilize this direct link.   

 

Curious why your submission isn't public yet? Uploaded documents do not immediately move to the Public Search option. The Ethics Commission staff is monitoring the submissions and moving the validated submissions to the public portion manually.

 

While filed in the Portal, Personal Financial Disclosures (PFDs) are not available for the public to view.  Please refer to the Citizens page to submit an Open Records Request.

FAQs

Question

 Answer
I am a local-level candidate (County/Municipal/School/Technology Center Board), where do I file my reports?  

Beginning 11/1/2025, you will file your Reports online with the Ethics Commission.

Prior to that 11/1/2025  you would file paper copies with your county’s election board, school district clerk or municipal clerk.  After 11/1/2025 all documents will be filed with the Ethics Commission - either in the Guardian system or in the Campaign Finance Transparency Portal.  Please reach out to the Commission to verify where you may need to file.
Is my Office/District required to file in the Guardian?

At this time, if your GENERAL election date falls within 2026, you are able to file in the Guardian system.  If you are in this category, you are required to register and file reports if your committee reaches the threshold of spending or receiving over $1000.00.

As future elections are populated in the Guardian system, candidates for general elections to be held in 2027 or later will be able to register and file in the Guardian.
If my election was in 2025 or earlier, but my committee is still active, where do I file my reports? Those reports will continue to be uploaded to our Campaign Finance Transparency Portal.
Once I’m registered in the Guardian, do I have to enter activity that happened prior to Guardian registration? Yes, once you are registered in the Guardian, you will enter any campaign activity (contributions, expenditures, loans, etc.) that occurred from November 1, 2025 to present.  The first Guardian report following registration will capture this previous activity.
When registering my committee in the Guardian, which election date do I choose? Register for the scheduled GENERAL election date set for your office/district/seat.  Even if the election results will be determined after the primary or runoff election, or if you are not on the ballot for the primary or runoff, the GENERAL election date will be used for registration purposes.
Is there an additional threshold for Municipal candidates? Yes.  Only municipalities that meet both of the following criteria are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission for campaign finance: 1) a population of more than 10,000 according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census, and 2) a general revenue fund expenditure budget in excess of Ten Million Dollars.  If you are a municipal candidate and your municipality does not meet these criteria, you are not required to file campaign finance documents.
As a candidate for a county, municipal, school board or tech center district election, am I required to open a committee bank account? A candidate committee must have a campaign bank depository that is segregated from any other accounts to prevent commingling of funds of the committee and any other entity.
If I spend my own funds for my campaign, do I still need to register and report? Regardless of the source of funds, once you spend or receive over $1000, you will submit a registration and begin reporting.  Depending on the date of your election, you will either submit those documents to the Transparency Portal or will do this in the Guardian system.     
Will I be removed from the ballot if I file a late Ethics report? The Ethics Commission does not determine suitability for the ballot.  Contact the Oklahoma Election Board for ballot-related questions.
Where may I find more information to assist me as a candidate/filer?

There is a great deal of information available on the Ethics Commission website.  In particular, see the Local Campaigns page here Local Campaigns. 

 
   

Question Answer
When do I need to register and how?

You must file a Statement of Organization with the Ethics Commission within 10 days of raising or expending in excess of $1,000.00. Once registered, candidate committees will file periodic reports detailing contributions and funds accepted and expenditures made electronically in The Guardian System.

Note: LOCAL Campaigns (Municipal, County, School) will file reports with the County Election Board, Municipal Clerk or School District Clerk respectively using forms provided in our website.
How can I pay my registration/late fee/settlement fee?

We accept card payments online in the Guardian System, or you can pay with a check/cash by mail or in person.

Note: We DO NOT take card payments over the phone.
Do I need an EIN number to register with the Ethics Commission? The Ethics Commission does not require this for registration, however, some banks require it for campaign accounts. You can get an EIN number for free through the IRS.
When should I file my reports? As soon as possible during the filing period.  If you should need some assistance or have some question about filing your report, it is better to give the Compliance Officers time to assist you.

Question Answer
When do I need to register and how?

You must file a Statement of Organization with the Ethics Commission within 10 days of raising or expending in excess of $1,000.00. Once registered, candidate committees will file periodic reports detailing contributions and funds accepted and expenditures made electronically in The Guardian System.

Note: LOCAL Campaigns (Municipal, County, School) will file reports with the County Election Board, Municipal Clerk or School District Clerk respectively using forms provided in our website.
How can I pay my registration/late fee/settlement fee?

We accept card payments online in the Guardian System, or you can pay with a check/cash by mail or in person.

Note: We DO NOT take card payments over the phone.
Do I need an EIN number to register with the Ethics Commission? The Ethics Commission does not require this for registration, however, some banks require it for campaign accounts. You can get an EIN number for free through the IRS.
   

Question Answer
What is an Advisory Opinion?

Advisory opinions interpret the ethics laws and apply those laws to the facts set forth in the request.  

The Commission may issue official advisory opinions interpreting the Ethics Rules as provided by Article XXIX, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma and as requested by specific individuals.
What is a Staff Memo? Staff Memorandums (Staff Memos) are drafted by Ethics Commission staff to provide guidance on the application and/or interaction of one or more Ethics Rules; they are not binding advisory opinions issued by the Ethics Commission pursuant to the Oklahoma Constitution and Ethics Rule 1.7.
How long does it take to get a formal Advisory Opinion?

Formal advisory opinions are issued by the Commission itself and are binding on the Commission in any matter or administrative hearing concerning a person who acted in good faith and in reasonable reliance on that Advisory Opinion.  

Because the Commission itself must vote to adopt a formal Advisory Opinion, it can take sixty days or more for the Commission to issue a formal advisory opinion after receiving a request. Formal advisory opinions are published on the Ethics Commission webste: https://oklahoma.gov/ethics/resources/rules-and-laws.html

 
I'm not looking for a formal Advisory Opinion or Staff Memo, is there another option? Intepretations/informal advisory opinions, general/routine advice and guidance are provided by the Commission's staff.  Commission staff typically issue informal advisory opinions/interpretations on a shorter time frame, (i.e., a few weeks after a request is received).  Evidence that a requester relied on an informal opinion to make a decision is evidence of good faith efforts to comply with the law, but does not bind the Commission.  Only official Advisory Opinions or Staff Memos are be binding on the Commission.
Who Can Request Advisory Opinions?

Okla. Const. art XXIX, § 5 gives the Commission discretion to “respond, pursuant to its rules, to questions of specific individuals seeking an interpretation of the Commission’s rules.”  

The Commission shall accept both written and oral comments about the draft advisory opinions and/or comments.

Ordinarily, the Commission will consider advisory opinions as they apply to the person requesting the opinion, not to third parties. In other words, the Commission would not consider a request as to how the Rules applied to someone other than the person asking the question.
Is there a time when an Advisory Opinion cannot be requested? The Commission shall not consider an advisory opinion on an issue that is pending before a court of law or before another agency of the State of Oklahoma. Any person with knowledge of such pending matter shall disclose such pending matter to the Commission.
How Can a Request for an Advisory Opinion Be Submitted?

The Staff preffers to have requests:

  1. submitted in via email: Ethics@Ethics.ok.gov
  2. identify a specific set of factual circumstances and involve a question about the applicability of one of the provisions of law over which the Commission has jurisdiction
  3. specify that the request is for a formal advisory opinion
Are Advisory Requests Public?

Yes, Formal Advisory Opinions are made public on the Ethics Commission's website on the Rules & Laws page.

An interpretation/informal advisory opinion, general/routine advice and guidance  provided by the Commission's staff, which may be specific to the requester and the set of facts presented in the request, are subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Question Answer
Where is the Oklahoma Ethics Commission located?

The Commission’s physical address is 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., G-27, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. 

The Oklahoma Ethic Commission's main office  is located on the Ground (G) floor in room G-27, is on the West side of the ground floor (go past the State seal in the center of the Capitol), and shares an entrance from the West Foyer with the Oklahoma State Election Board.

*Ethics Commission Meetings are also typically held in the State Capital in room G3 on the Ground floor.
Can I Visit the Commission Offices?

If you would prefer in-person options to drop off materials, conduct meetings, or more, please reach out to the Main office line at (405) 521-3451 or ethics@ethics.ok.gov in order to set up an appointment. 

Open Office Hours are generally 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday - Friday.
Where do I Park to access the Ethics Commission? 

Upon arriving to the State Capitol Building, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, OKC, OK 73105, you have a couple public parking options:

  1. South Parking lot in non-reserved spaces or
  2. Alternative Parking on the East Side of Lincoln Boulevard with a walk-thru underground tunnel to the entry.. 

Once parked you will make your way to the SE ground floor entry of the State Capital.   Entrances to the Capital require safety and security screenings, including the use of a metal detector.  

Question Answer
How do I file a Complaint? Select the "Resources Tab" at the top of the screen and click "File a Complaint"
Are Complaints Confidential? Commission treats Complaints as confidential.  However, the Commission will make an Administrative Complaint, any response, and any related records available to the public
Can Complaints be submitted Anonymously? No. The Ethics Commission permit the acceptance of a complaint from any source except an anonymous source.  The prohibition against acceptance of anonymous complaints is to prevent the abuse of the complaint process in a way that wastes the Commission’s resources
What do I need to file a Complaint?

Subsection (B) of Ethics Rule 6.3 sets forth the procedure for written complaints filed by others. Such complaints must

  1. Cite a specific Rule or Rules alleged to have been violated; 
  2. Describe the factual details of such alleged violation(s);
  3. Name of the Individual(s) invovled in the allegation;
  4. Importantly, the individual(s) making such complaints must certify personal knowlesge of the alleged facts = submitting themselves to the jurisdiction as a frivolous complaint is deemed a violation of the Ethics Rules.
When can a Complaint be submitted? A complaint can be submitted at anytime, however, the Commission cannot accept Complaints during a Blackout Period.
What is a Blackout Period? 

Ethics Rule 6.4 defines a Blackout Period as a time when the Commission shall not accept a complaint from any person alleging a violation of these Rules by a candidate or candidate committee during a period beginning the first day that the State Election Board may accept Declarations of Candidacy for the office sought by the candidate or candidates and ending on the day of either the Primary Election, only if such Primary Election determines the overall outcome of the winner of the Election, or the General Election during the same year. However, this section shall not prohibit acceptance of a complaint from a member or employee of the Commission.

This provision is intended to prevent the complaint process from being used for political purposes during a campaign.

Question Answer
Is the Oklahoma ethics Commission subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act?

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission abides by the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, 51 O.S. 2011, § 24A.1 et seq., and Oklahoma Ethics Commission Ethics Rules 6.5 and 6.9 in determining whether to release requested documents.

Staff attempts to assist the public with locating publicly available information and answering questions based on such information. However, all requests for information, or Open Records Act (ORA) Requests, must be directed to the Executive Director, General Counsel, or designee.
   
   
   

Question Answer
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Last Modified on Jun 19, 2026
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