New report aims to enhance transparency in Vt. political fundraising

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A new push for more transparency in state political fundraising.

State campaign finance law says candidates, parties, political action committees and others are required to report who’s donating to them where they’re spending their money.

More than 300 people are running for statewide Senate and House offices.

A new report says according to a compiled database, about one-third have not filed, which may be breaking the rules.

Vermont’s secretary of state says the database is aimed at making campaigns and who funds them more transparent.

“I’m hoping this sparks a conversation about whether the filing requirements that we have– which are requirements but not enforceable– are the right level of transparency that Vermonters wish for or if there is a different way that we could do this,” said Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Vt. Secretary of State.

There are some exemptions from filing, like if a candidate didn’t raise more than $500.

The next deadline to file is Aug. 1.

Click here for the report, Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance.