Tempe Campaign Disclosure Filing and Fees

Elections and Campaign Finance Arizona 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Arizona

Tempe, Arizona candidates and committees must file campaign finance disclosures and pay any required filing fees with the City Clerk. This guide explains what to file, where to submit disclosures and fees, timelines, enforcement pathways, and practical steps to comply with Tempe city requirements.

What to file and when

Candidates, ballot-question committees, and political action committees active in Tempe typically must file periodic campaign finance disclosure reports that list contributions and expenditures, and may need to pay filing or ballot fees where applicable. See the City Clerk for official report forms and filing calendars.[1]

  • Pre-election and post-election disclosure reports (as required by city rules or election calendar).
  • Regular reporting deadlines: file-by dates are set by the Clerk’s calendar and can vary with the election cycle.
  • Any candidate filing fees or ballot-access payments required by city ordinance or administrative rule.
Check the Clerk’s published filing calendar before each election cycle.

Where and how to submit

Most filings are submitted to the Tempe City Clerk’s office either electronically where a portal exists or in person/by mail to the Clerk’s official address. Confirm permitted filing formats and accepted payment methods with the Clerk ahead of submission.[1]

  • Contact the City Clerk for accepted submission methods and for assistance with forms.
  • Pay fees online or in person as directed by the Clerk’s office; retained receipts are required for campaign records.
  • Keep copies of all filed reports and payment confirmations for mandated retention periods.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for late, incomplete, or missing campaign disclosures in Tempe is handled through city administrative processes and may involve orders, civil penalties, referral to municipal court, or other remedies designated by ordinance. Specific fine amounts and escalation rules are not specified on the cited page; consult the municipal code and the City Clerk for exact statutory penalties and procedures.[2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat, or continuing offense ranges is not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions may include administrative orders, corrective filing requirements, or referral to court; specific remedies are set by ordinance or administrative rule.
  • Enforcer: the City Clerk administers filings; violations may be processed through municipal enforcement channels and municipal court for adjudication.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits (for example, days to appeal an administrative order) are governed by ordinance or administrative rule and are not specified on the cited page.
If you receive a notice of noncompliance, act quickly to file corrected reports or request guidance from the Clerk.

Applications & Forms

The City Clerk publishes official disclosure forms and any candidate filing forms; specific form names, numbers, fees, and submission instructions are available from the Clerk’s campaign-disclosure page and the municipal code where applicable.[3]

  • Official campaign disclosure report forms: see the Clerk’s forms list.
  • Filing or ballot fees: fee amounts are listed with the applicable form or ordinance if required by the city.
  • Submission: electronic portal, in-person, or mail instructions are set by the Clerk.

Action steps

  • Confirm your filing obligations and reporting deadlines with the City Clerk immediately after declaring candidacy.
  • Download and complete the official disclosure form for the period required; attach supporting records.
  • Pay any required filing or ballot fees as directed and retain receipts.
  • If you receive a notice of deficiency, contact the Clerk to correct filings or request review within the stated time limit.
Keep clear records of contributions and expenditures for every reporting period.

FAQ

Who must file campaign finance disclosures in Tempe?
Candidates for Tempe offices, ballot-question committees, and other political committees with activity affecting Tempe campaign finance must file disclosures as required by city rules.
When are disclosure reports due?
Due dates depend on the election calendar and Clerk-published filing schedule; check the Clerk’s reporting calendar for exact dates.[1]
How do I pay filing or ballot fees?
Payment instructions are provided by the City Clerk; fees may be payable online, by check, or in person according to the Clerk’s guidance.

How-To

  1. Confirm your status and required reports with the Tempe City Clerk.
  2. Download the correct disclosure form from the Clerk’s page and prepare supporting schedules and receipts.
  3. Submit the completed disclosure and pay any required fees using the Clerk’s accepted submission method.
  4. If notified of a deficiency, file the corrected report or follow the Clerk’s instructions to resolve the issue promptly.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the City Clerk early to confirm which reports and fees apply to your campaign.
  • Keep detailed records and retain filing receipts for compliance and audits.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Tempe - Campaign finance and disclosure forms
  2. [2] Tempe Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  3. [3] City of Tempe - Elections & Campaign Information

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