Regional campaign finance training seminars scheduled

CHARLESTON -- Secretary of State Betty Ireland has announced that her office will put on five regional campaign finance training seminars across the state to help candidates comply with West Virginia's campaign finance rules and regulations.

The seminars, conducted by the Elections Division of the Secretary of State's office, will cover campaign finance compliance, campaign solicitations, reporting requirements, electronic filing (available to candidates running for statewide office), and political advertising.

"I am pleased to offer this valuable training, on a statewide scale, to candidates running for public office in West Virginia," Ireland said. "It is vitally important for candidates to know and understand their obligations and limitations when it comes to receiving donations to their campaign."

The first seminar took place in the Eastern Panhandle in Charles Town (Jefferson County) on Jan. 30.

Additional seminars will be held at the following locations:

* Huntington -– Monday, Feb. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, located off Exit 11 of Interstate 64.

* Parkersburg –- Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Judge Black Annex Meeting Rooms, on Market Street across from the Blennerhassett Hotel.

* Beckley – Saturday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beckley Convention Center (formerly the Beckley Armory), Conference Center Room F.

* Morgantown – Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Senior Monongalians Center, Mountaineer Mall, Suite 7.

The seminars are free and open to all candidates and the treasurers of candidate committees. No advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.WVvotes.com, or contact the Secretary of State's Office at (800) SOS-VOTE, or email the Elections Division at elections@wvsos.com.