The purpose of the commission is to enforce Florida's election and campaign finance laws and ensure transparency in Florida's elections.

The Florida Elections Commission is composed of nine members appointed by the governor for four-year terms. Members are limited to serving no more than two terms. The chair of the commission serves a maximum term of four years with his or her term running concurrently with the term of the appointing Governor. While administratively housed within the Department of Legal Affairs, the commission is an independent entity and not subject to the department's control, supervision, or direction.

Commission staff members investigate alleged violations of campaign finance laws and make a recommendation to the commission on whether there is probable cause to find a violation of Florida's election laws. If the commission finds probable cause, a commission attorney prosecutes the case in an administrative hearing, either before the Division of Administrative Hearings or before the commission. The commission also hears appeals from the imposition of automatic fines levied by filing officers for late-filed reports.

The commission maintains a website that contains listings of final orders issued by the courts. The commission also publishes the rules by which it governs and a listing of its meetings, members, and minutes. 

To file a complaint, print the commission's electronic form and mail the completed form to the commission.

In Fiscal Year 2020-21, the commission closed 54% of its cases within 12 months, below the approved performance standard of 80% of cases closed within 12 months. The commission reports that, historically, the number of referrals and complaints filed with the commission escalates in correlation with election cycles. The escalation is even more exaggerated following more substantial election years, e.g., statewide and presidential races.

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
County Supervisors of Election
Department of State Division of Elections
Federal Election Commission

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Chapters 104 and 106, and s. 105.071, Florida Statutes

Clerk of the Commission, 850-922-4539, email: fec@myfloridalegal.com
Website