FEC elects 2022 officers, approves audit recommendations

WASHINGTON – At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission voted on an advisory opinion request, held over another, and approved an Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum. The Commission elected Allen Dickerson as Chairman and Steven T. Walther as Vice Chair for 2022.

Advisory Opinion Request 2021-11 (DSCC and DCCC). The Commission discussed and voted on two draft responses to Advisory Opinion Request 2021-11 concerning whether text messages sent as part of the short code messaging programs outlined in the request are public communications under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and Commission regulations. The Commission held over completion of the vote pending a vote from a Commissioner who was absent. During the discussion, the Commission heard from Counsel for the requestors.

Advisory Opinion Request 2021-13 (Matthew Hoh). The Commission held over discussion of Advisory Opinion Request 2021-13. The requestor, a combat veteran who receives disability benefits from the Veterans Administration, intends to run for U.S. Senate in the 2022 election cycle. He asks whether his disability benefits constitute “earned income” for purposes of the Commission’s candidate salary regulation at 11 C.F.R. § 113.1(g)(1)(i)(I).

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Republican Party Of Minnesota – Federal. In a tally vote prior to the meeting, the Commission approved an Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Republican Party of Minnesota – Federal, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The Commission approved findings on recordkeeping for employees, recordkeeping for communications, disclosure of transfers and allocation ratios, and disclosure of loans and loan repayments.

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee. The Commission approved an Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The Commission approved findings on contributions from unregistered political organizations, recordkeeping for employees, and reporting of debts and obligations.

Election of Officers for 2022. The Commission elected Vice Chair Dickerson as Chairman and Commissioner Walther as Vice Chair for 2022.

Remarks and Employee Recognition by Chair Broussard. Chair Shana M. Broussard recognized the contributions of long-serving federal employees at the Commission, staff members who are retiring, and two staff members who passed away this year: David Taylor of the IT Division, and Jeff Jordan of the Office of General Counsel. Chair Broussard thanked staff in the Commission’s various offices for rising to the challenge of working largely remotely under the conditions of the pandemic and helping the Commission achieve its goals.