Saint Paul City and School Board Candidates and Committees
The following information applies to City of Saint Paul and Saint Paul School Board candidates. For more information on election law, please see Minnesota Statutes Chapters 211A and 211B, as well as
Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 28.
See the 2022 Campaign Finance Manual: Campaign Financial Reporting and Fair Campaign Practices and additions (current version; published by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State) for Minnesota laws related to campaign finance.
New candidates and committees
All candidates and committees are required to file campaign finance reports when they reach or exceed $100 in campaign contributions and/or expenditures in a calendar year. On filing the following two forms, you become registered with Ramsey County Elections and then follow the reporting schedule for registered candidates and committees. This registration stays active until a final report is filed.
Registration and Statement of Organization form (PDF)
Due within 14 days of the candidate/committee reaching the $100 threshold. Updated statements must be filed any time there is a change in committee information (except liquid assets).
Initial report form (PDF)
One-time report due within 14 days of the candidate/committee exceeding the $100 threshold. This report opens an account registration with Ramsey County Elections. If this report has been previously filed, it does not need to be filed again unless the candidate/committee closed its account with Ramsey County Elections in the past and so must open a new account.
Reports and forms due from registered committees
Registered candidates/committees are those who have filed a Registration and Statement of Organization and Initial Report (but not a final report) and so have an active registration with Ramsey County Elections.
The reporting period for all reports, except the January report, is the day following the last reporting date on the previously filed report up to and including the fifth day before the current report is due. The January report must include all transactions from the end date of the last previous report up to and including December 31 of the previous year.
Contributor Address Withholding Form (PDF) - submit this form if a contributor must withhold address information from a report, as provided in Minn. Stat. §211A.02, subd. 2.
Reports and forms due from registered committees during a year the office is on the ballot
Statement of Economic Interest form
Due from city candidates within 14 days of filing an affidavit of candidacy or petition to appear on the ballot. (School board candidates do not submit this form.)
Eight week pre-election report form (PDF)
Due at noon 8 weeks (56 days) prior to the general election
Two week pre-election report form (PDF)
Due at noon 2 weeks (14 days) prior the general election
Certification of Filing form (PDF)
Due within 7 days after the general
January report form (PDF)
Due at noon on the last Tuesday in January of each year
Reports and forms due from registered committees during a year when the office is not on the ballot
January report (PDF)
Due at noon on the last Tuesday in January of each year
Report form for ballot questions
Eight week pre-election report (PDF)
Due at noon 8 weeks (56 days) prior to the election during years that the race is on the ballot.
Two week pre-election report (PDF)
Due at noon 2 weeks (14 days) prior the election during years that the race is on the ballot.
January report (PDF)
Due at noon on the last Tuesday in January of each year.
Closing committee accounts
Final report form (PDF)
May be submitted at any time after all debts have been paid and assets in excess of $100 have been disposed of. Filing a final report closes the candidate/committee account and ends all reporting requirements with Ramsey County Elections. For laws governing disposal of assets, see MS Ch. 211A.13 and MS 211B.12 subd. 6.
Contribution limits
Contribution limits – Saint Paul Mayor
Years when office is not on the ballot: $250
Years when office is on the ballot: $1000
Contribution limits – Saint Paul City Council
Years when office is not on the ballot: $250
Years when office is on the ballot: $600
Contribution limits – Saint Paul School Board candidates
Years when office is not on the ballot: $250
Years when office is on the ballot: $1000
Prohibited committee transfers
Candidates for county offices may not accept transfers from a principal campaign committee (such as a committee established for a candidate for a state office under MS Ch. 10A) and must not make contributions to a principal campaign committee, unless the contribution is made from the personal funds of the candidate.