E6-14182. Filing Dates for the Texas Special Elections

AGENCY:

Federal Election Commission.

ACTION:

Notice of filing dates for special elections.

SUMMARY:

Texas has scheduled special elections on November 7, 2006, based upon an opinion and order by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, in League of United Latin American Citizens, et. al. v. Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, et. al., which redrew the boundaries, invalidated the results of the primary and runoff elections, and ordered new elections in five of the thirty-two U.S. Congressional Districts of Texas. The districts affected are: 15, 21, 23, 25 and 28.

There are two possible elections, but only one may be necessary. The majority winner of the special election in each district is declared elected. Should no candidate achieve a majority vote, the Secretary of State will then order and set the date for a Special Runoff Election that will include only the top two vote-getters. All runoff elections will be held on the same date.

Committees participating in the Texas special elections are required to file pre- and post-election reports.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Kevin R. Salley, Information Division, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463; Telephone: [phone]; Toll Free [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Principal Campaign Committees

All principal campaign committees of candidates participating in the Texas Special General Election shall file a 12-day Pre-General Report on October 26, 2006. If there is a majority winner, committees must also file a 30-day Post-General Report on December 7, 2006. (See chart below for the closing date for each report).

Unauthorized Committees (PACs and Party Committees)

Political committees filing on a quarterly basis in 2006 are subject to special election reporting if they make previously undisclosed contributions or expenditures in connection with the Texas Special General Elections by the close of books for the applicable report(s). (See chart below for the closing date for each report).

Committees filing monthly that support candidates in the Texas Special General Elections should continue to file according to the monthly reporting schedule.

Disclosure of Electioneering Communications (Individuals and Other Unregistered Organizations)

As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the Federal Election Commission promulgated new electioneering communications rules governing television and radio communications that refer to a clearly identified Federal candidate and are distributed within 60 days prior to a special general election. See 11 CFR 100.29. The statute and regulations require, among other things, that individuals and other groups not registered with the FEC who make electioneering communications costing more than $10,000 in the aggregate in a calendar year disclose that activity to the Commission within 24 hours of the distribution of the communication. See 11 CFR 104.20.

The 60-day electioneering communications period in connection with the Texas Special General runs from September 8, 2006, through November 7, 2006.

Possible Special Runoff Election

In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes in a Special General Election, a Special Runoff Election will be held. The Commission will publish a future notice giving the filing dates for that election if it becomes necessary.

Calendar of Reporting Dates for Texas Special Elections

Report	Close of books1	Reg./cert. & overnight mailing date	Filing date
If Only the Special General is Held (11/07/06), Committees Involved Must File
Pre-General	10/18/06	10/23/06	10/26/06
Post-General	11/27/06	12/07/06	12/07/06
Year-End	12/31/06	01/31/07	01/31/07
If Two Elections are Held, Committees Involved Only in the Special General (11/07/06) MUST FILE:
Pre-General	10/18/06	10/23/06	10/26/06
Year-End	12/31/06	01/31/07	01/31/07
1 The period begins with the close of books of the last report filed by the committee. If the committee has filed no previous reports, the period begins with the date of the committee's first activity.

Dated: August 21, 2006.

Michael E. Toner,

Chairman, Federal Election Commission.