FEC Launches New Rulemaking Search System
Summary
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has launched a new rulemaking search system on its website, offering advanced search capabilities for accessing FEC rulemaking documents. The FEC also announced upcoming reporting dates and webinars for filers in 2026.
What changed
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has introduced a new rulemaking search system on its website, designed to provide users with fast and comprehensive access to FEC rulemaking documents. This system includes advanced search features such as keyword and Boolean options, proximity filters, and mobile device accessibility, aiming to improve the user experience for researching regulatory information.
While this update primarily enhances the FEC's public-facing website, it indirectly benefits compliance professionals by offering more efficient tools for legal research. The FEC also posted various reporting dates and deadlines for 2026, along with announcements for upcoming webinars related to FECFile, which are relevant for political committees and PACs preparing for the election cycle.
What to do next
- Familiarize yourself with the new FEC rulemaking search system for legal research.
- Note the posted 2026 reporting dates and deadlines for relevant filings.
- Register for upcoming FECFile webinars if applicable to your committee type.
Source document (simplified)
Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
Website Initiatives
The Commission recently launched a new rulemaking search system on the FEC’s website. The new system provides fast, comprehensive access to FEC rulemaking documents and is easily accessible via mobile devices. Users can search rulemaking documents by regulation number, document type, date, and more. Advanced search capabilities include keyword and Boolean options and proximity filters that allow users to search for terms or phrases that appear within a set distance from one another. More information about the FEC’s legal search system capabilities is available in the FEC’s Legal Research Guide.
Outreach
On March 25 the Commission hosted a FECFile webinar for PACs and party committees.
Reports Due in 2026
The Commission has posted the 2026 Congressional Pre-Election Reporting Dates. Reporting schedules for all filers in 2026 are also available.
Election Dates
The Commission has posted a list of 2026 Congressional Primary Dates.
Employment opportunities
The Commission is accepting applications for the position of Senior Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) through April 6, 2026.
Upcoming educational opportunities
April 1, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a FECFile webinar for candidate committees.
April 21-22, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for corporations and their PACs.
May 12-13, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for membership and labor organizations and their PACs.
Upcoming reporting due dates
April 15: April Quarterly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Quarterly Reporting schedule.
April 20: April Monthly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Monthly Reporting schedule.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the Georgia 14th District Special Runoff Election, scheduled for April 7, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the New Jersey 11th District Special General Election, scheduled for April 16, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the California 1st District Special General Election, scheduled for June 2, 2026, and Special Runoff Election (if necessary), scheduled for August 4, 2026.
Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
Join the FEC on X and YouTube
Follow @FEC on X to receive the latest information on agency updates, news releases, and weekly activity. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, FECTube: FECConnect on Demand, to watch instructional videos that have been designed to help candidates and committees comply with federal campaign finance laws. Note that the FEC is not currently available through other social media platforms. The use of the agency’s logo, name, and likeness on other media has not been authorized by the FEC.
Contact
- Myles Martin
- Deputy Press Officer
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Week of March 16 – 20, 2026
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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.
The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.
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