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Vermont Secretary of State Completes 2024 Election Cycle Reports

The Vermont Secretary of State has officially concluded the reporting for the 2024 election cycle, culminating in the release of the final candidate campaign finance disclosures. Following Election Day on November 5, candidates were required to submit a regular campaign finance disclosure by November 19 and a final report by December 15. These disclosures are crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability in political funding during the election process.

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Upcoming Legislative Session in Montpelier

As the new year begins, the Vermont legislature will convene in Montpelier next Wednesday, January 8, to kick off the new biennium session. During this inaugural meeting, all 150 representatives and 30 senators will be formally sworn in. This includes the state’s key constitutional officers, such as Governor Phil Scott and the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers, both of whom will take their oaths of office. This marks an important event as numerous legislative discussions and decisions will shape Vermont’s political landscape for the coming year.

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Insights from Campaign Finance Reports in Washington-Chittenden

In the Washington-Chittenden House district, Democratic incumbents Tom Stevens and Theresa Wood, both from Waterbury, revealed modest donations since their last pre-election filings on November 1—$250 contributed to Stevens and $300 to Wood. Stevens indicated that his total fundraising reached $16,140 against campaign expenses of $15,691. His recent expenditures encompassed various costs including meals, gas, administrative activities, and a charitable donation to the Champlain Housing Trust. According to state law, he designated $1,828 in surplus funds to be donated, highlighting the ethical standards of Vermont’s election laws that necessitate the donation of surplus funds to charities, candidates, PACs, or political parties. Notably, Stevens retains $1,765 from prior campaigns, emphasizing the importance of financial planning for future elections.

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Theresa Wood’s Campaign Financial Summary

Wood’s campaign disclosed total contributions of $12,790 while reporting $3,450 in expenditures as of November 19. During the reporting period, she spent $303, primarily on an election night celebration. At this time, Wood has yet to submit her final report; however, her prior filings reveal an uncarried forward amount of $484 from the previous cycle, signifying her careful financial management amidst the electoral journey.

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Jonathan Griffin’s First Campaign Reporting

Republican candidate Jonathan Griffin, a political newcomer from Waterbury, submitted a report on November 19 showing no further contributions since the election. His total campaign income stood at $8,885. This reporting period saw his campaign incur $718 in online advertising costs, resulting in total campaign expenditures amounting to $5,474. Griffin has also yet to file a final report with the Secretary of State’s office, which draws attention to the importance of timely disclosures for maintaining voter trust.

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Independent Candidate James Haddad’s Filing Status

Independent candidate James Haddad from Huntington is noted as having filed his final paperwork according to the Secretary of State’s report. However, it’s concerning that neither a November 19 disclosure nor a final report could be found in the state’s campaign finance online database, raising questions about transparency and the accessibility of this information.

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Washington-2 House District Candidates’ Reporting Variances

Among the four candidates in the Washington-2 House district, only Rep. Dara Torre, a Democrat from Moretown who successfully secured re-election for her second term, met the filing requirements. Torre’s campaign reported raising $163 during the November 19 period, which included a $113 donation from Democratic colleague Kari Dolan, who opted not to run again this year. Torre’s campaign expenditures totaled $780, covering promotional efforts and celebration costs. Her final report reflected $4,644 in total fundraising with expenses of $5,859. A carryover amount of $676 from the previous campaign cycle allowed Torre to present a $390 surplus for the upcoming campaign.

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Unreported Candidates: A Call for Transparency

Other candidates from the Washington-2 House district, including Waitsfield Democrat Candice White, Moretown Independent John Burns, and Eugene Bifano from the Common Sense Party, have not submitted any post-election reports at this time. Notably, Bifano has not provided any financial disclosures throughout this election cycle, while Burns’ only disclosures occurred back in October.

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Senate Candidates’ Coverage: A Look at Disclosures

Similar discrepancies were observed in the financial disclosure filings of Washington Senate candidates. Among the six candidates, only the incumbent senators—Ann Cummings, Andrew Perchlik, and Anne Watson—submitted the required financial disclosures for both the November 19 reporting period and the final submissions on December 15. Cummings, a Democrat from Montpelier, reported $200 in contributions with campaign expenses totaling $789 in her prior filing, much of which was allocated to candidate-related mileage and event costs, including $250 for an election night celebration. In her final report, Cummings noted $5,345 raised and $5,781 spent, alongside a charitable donation of $500 to support a local housing program for the homeless, showcasing her commitment to community assistance.

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Analysis of Andrew Perchlik’s Campaign Contributions

Perchlik, representing the Democratic/Progressive Party from Marshfield, reported zero contributions in both of his filings. His November 19 report reflected expenses of $390 for event supplies, however, he later reported $3,101 in contributions in addition to a carryover of $1,661 from the previous campaign cycle. His total expenditures reached $3,585, and his final report confirmed a surplus of $2,440 to be carried forward to his next campaign cycle.

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Anne Watson’s Campaign Summary

Senator Anne Watson from Montpelier noted a $250 donation from the Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, summing her contributions to $6,199 according to her November 19 report, with expenditures amounting to $6,208. In her final report, she indicated only a marginal increase in expenses due to bank fees amounting to $6. Watson concluded this campaign cycle with a surplus of $2,081 designated for future endeavors, along with a remaining surplus of $1,246 from the previous cycle, demonstrating effective budget management on her part.

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Cumulative Results for Washington Senate Candidates

Cummings, Perchlik, and Watson emerged as the leading vote recipients within the Washington Senate district, all successfully securing re-election and reinforcing their constituents’ support for their respective campaigns.

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Donald Koch’s Campaign Reporting

First-time Republican candidate Donald Koch from Barre Town did not submit any reports for the period ending November 19; however, he completed a final report covering campaign activities commencing November 1. His only incoming funds were a self-loan totaling $979, contributing to a total of $13,222 acquired during the broader campaign cycle. Remarkably, Koch recorded no expenses during the evaluated period, culminating in total campaign expenses of $13,581. He will carry a surplus of $949 into his next campaign cycle, showcasing a carefully managed financial landscape.

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Challenges for Some Republican Candidates

In contrast, Republican Michael Deering from Barre Town filed only one financial disclosure at the beginning of the cycle on October 1, while his fellow Republican, Mike Doyle from Montpelier, neglected to submit any financial reports throughout the entire cycle. This highlights the need for greater accountability among candidates.

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Importance of Campaign Finance Reporting Regulations

Vermont state law necessitates that all candidates who engaged in receiving or spending $500 or more during a two-year election cycle must file a report that accounts for all financial activity for the campaign to be formally concluded. Candidates unable to meet these criteria are mandated to submit an under-threshold report 10 days after the general election—the deadline being November 15 this year. The rigorous enforcement of these regulations is essential for sustaining electoral integrity and trust.

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How AI legalese decoder Can Help

In navigating the complexities of campaign finance law, the AI legalese decoder can serve as an invaluable aid for candidates and their teams. By providing clear, understandable interpretations of the legal jargon often found in campaign finance reports and regulations, it empowers candidates to comply effectively with state laws. This ensures that all filings are submitted accurately and on time, minimizing the risk of errors that could lead to penalties or complications in their campaigns. Furthermore, the AI tool can assist in strategizing around financial management, empowering candidates to optimize their campaign funding while adhering to legal standards, promoting transparency and trust with constituents.

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