Sometimes a committee makes a contribution to a candidate’s committee for one race, but the contribution needs to be moved to a different race or election. For example, a candidate you donated to for a Congressional race may later run for Senate. Moving the contribution is called a redesignation. Whether anything needs to be done depends on timing and intent.
When do I need to redesignate?
Per FEC guidance, it depends on the intent at the time the contribution was made:
- Intent matches the original race: If the contribution was given to the race the candidate was actually running at the time, nothing needs to be done. Once the contribution is received, it is no longer the donor’s responsibility.
- Given by mistake: If the contribution was intended for a different race or election, the contribution should be redesignated and the report amended.
Please note that redesignations require a signed written authorization within 60 days of the recipient committee receiving the original contribution, and redesignations are reported as memo entries on the report covering the period when the authorization is received. If a contribution does not meet the redesignation criteria, it may need to be refunded or returned instead. For full details, see the FEC’s guidance on redesignating contributions given. This page covers redesignations between elections or races. More complicated situations may require different treatment, so contact Support if your situation differs.
How do I record a redesignation in ISP?
- Leave the original Expense as it was recorded. It should remain as the contribution was originally made.
- Add a new Expense transaction for the same amount, marked as a Memo and a Reversal, on the initial campaign and election. Include everything from the original expense, and in the Compliance Notes indicate it is a redesignation.
- Add another Expense transaction marked as a Memo for the positive amount, on the correct campaign and election. Include all relevant details from the original, such as the Support/Oppose Memo, and in the Compliance Notes indicate it is a redesignation, including the date the redesignation was made.
This records the original contribution as it was made, a negative memo entry showing the amount being redesignated, and a positive memo entry showing the contribution as redesignated with the updated election information. The two memo entries have no cash impact, since no money actually moved.
For contributions your committee receives, see How Do I Add a Reattribution or Redesignation?
