• Definition of Draft and Exploratory Committee
• Reporting Requirements for Expenditures
• Draft and Exploratory Committee Contribution Limits
• Things to Remember

What are Draft and Exploratory Committees?
(DC Official Code § 1-1101.01(6)(B)(vi))

Exploratory, draft or “testing the waters” committees are formed solely for the purpose of determining the feasibility of an individual’s candidacy for office. The activities of exploratory committees may include polling, travel, and telephone calls to determine whether the individual should become a candidate.

Reporting Requirements for Draft and Exploratory Committees

Exploratory, draft or “testing the waters” committees are not required to register and file reports while their activities are limited to determining the feasibility of an individual’s candidacy for office. It is imperative, however, that exploratory and draft committees maintain a strict account of all financial transactions and records, particularly if the individual becomes a candidate and designates the draft or exploratory committee as a Principal Campaign Committee. Upon designation of a draft, exploratory or “testing the waters” committee as a Principal Campaign Committee, all contributions previously received by the draft committee, as well as those received by or on behalf of the candidate before designation, must be reviewed by the committee to determine whether persons making those contributions may have exceeded their relevant limits under DC Official Code Section 1-1131.01. Refunds must be promptly made to donors who have exceeded the contribution limits.

Draft and Exploratory Committee Contribution Limits

Draft or exploratory committees are not subject to the contribution limits since they are established for the sole purpose of determining the feasibility of an individual’s candidacy and not to advocate a candidate’s election to office.

Things to Remember

• Exploratory, draft or “testing the waters” committees are not subject to the registration and reporting requirements of the Campaign Finance Act where formed for the sole purpose of determining the feasibility of an individual’s candidacy for office.
• If designated by a candidate as a Principal Campaign Committee, a draft committee must review all previously received contributions to determine whether contribution limitations have been exceeded, and if so, refunds must be made immediately.