New Orleans Campaign Finance & Public Records

Elections and Campaign Finance Louisiana 3 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana maintains local oversight for campaign finance disclosure and public access to campaign records while certain filings and reporting remain handled at the state level. This guide explains where to find official records, who enforces city rules, how to file complaints, and practical steps to obtain campaign disclosure reports and any available public financing information.

Check the municipal ethics office first for local disclosure rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Authority: Local enforcement is handled by the New Orleans Board of Ethics for municipal candidates and matters; state-level filing requirements and penalties for statewide filings are administered by the Louisiana Secretary of State.New Orleans Board of Ethics[1] and Louisiana Secretary of State - Campaign Finance[2].

Fines and monetary penalties: specific fine amounts for municipal campaign finance violations are not specified on the cited city page; review of the enforcement page did not display fixed fine schedules or per-day penalties for city-level violations.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for municipal enforcement.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges not specified on the cited page for municipal actions.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to correct disclosures, administrative referrals, and potential civil proceedings are referenced as enforcement tools though precise remedies and thresholds are not listed on the municipal page.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: file complaints and contact the New Orleans Board of Ethics via the city ethics contact page.Board of Ethics contact[1]
  • Appeals/review: specific appeal time limits and administrative review procedures are not specified on the cited municipal page; check the Board of Ethics for procedures and any deadlines.[1]
If you suspect a violation, file a formal complaint with the Board of Ethics promptly.

Applications & Forms

Municipal public financing applications or a city-run public finance program are not clearly published on the municipal ethics page; therefore no specific municipal application number or fee is specified on that page.[1] State-level campaign finance forms, disclosure reports, and filing instructions are available through the Louisiana Secretary of State campaign finance portal.LA SOS Campaign Finance[2]

  • Where to file: use the LA SOS campaign finance portal for state filings; municipal complaint intake is via the New Orleans Board of Ethics page.[2]
  • Deadlines and periodic reports: see the LA SOS portal for state reporting schedules and form deadlines; municipal reporting schedules are not specified on the cited city page.[2]

How to Obtain Campaign Records

Follow these action steps to find campaign records and disclosures for New Orleans candidates:

  1. Search the Louisiana Secretary of State campaign finance portal for filed disclosure reports and electronic filings for candidates and committees.[2]
  2. If records are city-held, contact the New Orleans Board of Ethics or the relevant city office and request public records under local public records rules.[1]
  3. File a formal complaint with the Board of Ethics if you believe disclosures are missing or inaccurate; include specific facts and supporting documents.
  4. If denied, request a written denial and note any appeal or judicial review options; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited municipal page.[1]
Start with the state portal for disclosure forms and the city ethics office for municipal complaints.

Common Violations

  • Failure to file timely disclosure reports — penalties not specified on the cited city page.[1]
  • Incomplete or inaccurate donor/expense reporting — enforcement actions may follow per city or state rules.[2]
  • Unreported campaign committee activity — refer to state filing rules for form requirements.[2]

FAQ

Who enforces campaign finance rules in New Orleans?
The New Orleans Board of Ethics handles municipal enforcement; the Louisiana Secretary of State administers state campaign finance filings and related penalties.[1] [2]
Where do I find campaign finance disclosure reports?
Search the Louisiana Secretary of State campaign finance portal for disclosure reports; contact the New Orleans Board of Ethics for city-held records.[2] [1]
How do I file a complaint about a suspected violation?
File a complaint with the New Orleans Board of Ethics using the contact information on the city ethics page; include supporting documents and specifics of the alleged violation.[1]

How-To

How to request campaign finance records and pursue enforcement:

  1. Locate candidate or committee filings on the LA SOS campaign finance portal and download available reports.[2]
  2. If you need records held by the city, submit a public records request or contact the Board of Ethics for guidance.[1]
  3. To report possible violations, file a formal complaint with the Board of Ethics and attach evidence or relevant filings.
  4. If enforcement action is taken and you seek review, request written findings and follow any appeal instructions provided by the enforcing authority.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the Louisiana SOS portal for most disclosure filings and searches.[2]
  • Contact the New Orleans Board of Ethics for municipal complaints and city-specific records.[1]

Help and Support / Resources

    Categories

    General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data