How often do committees file with the FEC?

Most federal committees file quarterly (April 15, July 15, October 15, plus year-end). Pre-election and post-election reports apply before and after elections. Some committees file monthly. Check FEC.gov for your committee type.

How do campaigns use FEC filings operationally?

Operatives watch opponent and outside-group filings for cash changes, new receipts, donor geography shifts, and IE bursts. Tools like Pachand turn raw filings into watchlist alerts, cash scoreboards, and aggregate ZIP maps — without manual FEC.gov refreshes.

What Are FEC Filings? Forms, Reports & Filing Alerts

Track FEC filings without rebuilding the spreadsheet

FEC filings are public federal campaign finance reports. Pachand turns watchlisted committee filings into alerts with receipts and cash-on-hand deltas — plus race scoreboards and donor ZIP maps.

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Direct answer

FEC filings are public federal campaign finance reports — financial summaries, itemized contributions, independent expenditures, and 48-hour notices — that committees submit to the Federal Election Commission. Operatives use them to track opponent fundraising, outside spending, and cash on hand.

Track FEC filings in real time

Free FEC Notify tells you a report landed. Pachand filing alerts add receipts and cash-on-hand deltas vs. the prior filing, Slack delivery, and a watchlist scoreboard — so your team knows what changed, not just that something filed.

Common form types

F3 / F3P

Candidate committees

Receipts, disbursements, cash on hand, debts

F3X

PACs, party committees, some outside groups

Quarterly financial reports for non-candidate committees

Schedule A

Itemized contributions (attached to F3/F3X)

Contribution amounts and geography — aggregate ZIP maps only on Pachand

Schedule E

Independent expenditure committees

Outside spending for or against candidates

F9 / F24

48-hour notice filers

Late independent expenditures and election-eve spending

Operative workflow

Know the reporting calendar — see the 2026 FEC deadlines guide
Build a committee watchlist for the race
Enable filing alerts when watched committees report
Compare receipts and cash on hand vs. prior filings

Pachand automates steps 2–4 on public FEC data. See how to track opponent fundraising.

Related guides

FEC filing alerts with receipts and cash deltas
FEC Notify vs Pachand — free alerts vs operative desk
FEC data for journalists — newsroom workflow on public filings
Pachand for reporters
Campaign finance hub
Schedule A & ZIP codes
Independent expenditure tracking

Frequently asked questions

What are FEC filings?: FEC filings are federal campaign finance reports committees submit to the Federal Election Commission — financial summaries (F3/F3X), itemized contributions (Schedule A), independent expenditures (Schedule E), and 48-hour notices. They are public records operatives use to track fundraising and spending.
How often do committees file with the FEC?: Most federal committees file quarterly (April 15, July 15, October 15, plus year-end). Pre-election and post-election reports apply before and after elections. Some committees file monthly. Check FEC.gov for your committee type.
How do campaigns use FEC filings operationally?: Operatives watch opponent and outside-group filings for cash changes, new receipts, donor geography shifts, and IE bursts. Tools like Pachand turn raw filings into watchlist alerts, cash scoreboards, and aggregate ZIP maps — without manual FEC.gov refreshes.

Not affiliated with the Federal Election Commission.