ALBANY - The New York State Board of Elections will host a series of campaign finance seminars in the Western New York Region beginning May 19.

All Chautauqua County candidates who raise or spend more than $1,000 must register and file electronically with the New York State Board of Elections. In addition, the New York State Board of Elections assumes that the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Independence Parties of Chautauqua County are supporting candidates for election or other political committees and therefore, are expected to file election reports (three Special election reports and/or three General election reports) unless they qualify for and file the CF-20 Notice of Inactive Status.

The NYS BOE seminars will include a presentation on financial disclosure forms and a thorough review of Article 14 of the Election Law, any recent amendments to the Law and supporting statements which may have to be filed by candidates and treasurers. Copies of the Board's "2009 Campaign Finance Handbook" will be provided.

The seminars are designed to provide candidates, treasurers, PACs, party organizations and county boards of elections personnel with information needed to comply with the State's campaign finance disclosure requirements, with emphasis on rule changes that affect local filers. The seminars will be conducted by staff members from the State Board's Enforcement Counsel's Office and the Board's Campaign Finance Unit. Members of the media and the public are welcome.

All seminars begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m. Locations for the Western New York Region Seminars are as follows:

Buffalo - May 19, Erie County Public Library Auditorium, Lafayette Square, Clinton and Ellicott Streets. For further information call 858-7786.

Amity - May 20, Amity Town Hall, Horn Room, Belmont. For further information call 585-268-9294. (Allegany County)

Rochester - May 21, Monroe County Board of Elections Service Center, 2595 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road. For further information call 585-428-4550.

The seminars are given free of charge, but those who wish to attend should register with the State Board by visiting the Board's web site to register on-line at: www.elections.state.ny.us (the link for registration is on the right side of the page) or by calling 518-474-8200.

There are serious significant penalties and consequences for failing to file required Financial Disclosure Statements and the maximum penalty for failing to file each statement required is $500. This penalty is recoverable in a judicial proceeding which seeks a monetary judgment brought by the State Board of Elections and the State Board has been quite active over the past several years.

In addition, the State Board of Elections has made a pledge to pursue filers this year who don't register at all with the state. To that end, the Chautauqua County Board of Elections will be providing the state board with candidate lists. Judgments against delinquent filers are obtained against the treasurer and recorded in the Albany County Clerk's office.