A few local candidates have seemingly been neglectful when it comes to submitting their required campaign financial reports. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the reports must be filed periodically during the year they are vying for office and are mandatory even if no expenditures were made.
The intervallic reports are due on the 10th of each month beginning in May and continuing through January 2020. In addition, Primary pre-election and pre-election reports are due by July 30 and November 29 respectively and anyone who is in the runoff will have to file pre-runoff reports also.
Sunflower County Circuit Clerk Carolyn Hamilton issued a word of caution to the candidates who expect to advance to the November election, emphasizing that each one need to make sure their campaign finance reports are complete, signed and submitted because by law the election commissioners cannot place their names on the general election ballot unless the reports are turned in.
Hamilton said that as a courtesy she reminds the candidates when she sees them, but it is not her office’s responsibility to make sure the reports are done, “Upon everyone qualifying for office, I gave everyone the same campaign packet that explained to them what they are required to do,” she said.
According to records obtained from the Circuit Clerk’s office, several candidates have yet to file any of the required documents, including Dist. 3 Supervisor hopeful Joseph Wilson Sr., Dist. 4 candidate James L. Burton, Dist. 5 Supervisor candidate Jack Griffin, Northern Justice Court Judge hopefuls Lisa Bell and Don Brown.
Also on the delinquent list is Northern District Constable contender Edward Dwight Lucas and Southern District Constable candidate Karen Farrow. Dist. 2 Supervisor candidate, Dana Myrick Jr., is also devoid of reports on file.
Based on information received on Tuesday, in addition to the above-mentioned names, the following local candidates have not submitted reports for one or more of the established filing dates. For Sheriff, Hollis Myrick—for County Attorney, Alsee McDaniel—for Dist 2 Supervisor, Levi Ford Jr.—for Dist. 1 Supervisor, Glenn Donald—for Northern Justice Court Judge, Annette Washington-Fields and for Southern District Constable, James Lee.
