The 2022 electoral process will be the third in Brazil to use crowdfunding on the internet to raise funds for campaigns. The collection by crowdfunding, or virtual crowdfunding, it can start to be done from the day 15th Mayfollowing the rules of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).
The method of raising funds for electoral campaigns was regulated by the 2017 electoral reform and used in the 2018 General Elections and in the 2020 Municipal Elections. The 2017 reform also prohibited the donation of companies to candidates. The crowdfunding, then, gained strength to increase the amount for electoral campaigns, added to donations from individuals and public resources, coming from the Special Fund for Campaign Financing, which this year is estimated at R$ 4.9 billion.
Second TSE data, in the 2018 elections, the first time the crowdfunding was held, approximately BRL 19.7 million was raised through crowdfunding. In the 2020 elections, BRL 15.8 million was raised.
virtual kitty rules
Parties and pre-candidates must be aware of the rules laid down in the Superior Electoral Court decisions (TSE) No. 23,607/2019
They need to hire companies or entities with registration approved by the TSE to perform this type of service, respect the general rules of campaign financing and declare all amounts collected in the rendering of accounts to the Electoral Justice. The list of companies with approved registration is in the site of the TSE.
To receive the funds raised, candidates must to have application for registration of candidacy, registration with the CNPJ and opening of a specific bank account to monitor the campaign’s financial transactions. Only after these requirements have been met will the collecting companies be able to transfer the funds to the candidates.
who can donate
Only individuals can donate. According to the TSE rules, there is no limit to the amount to be received by the crowdfunding modality.
Donations of amounts equal to or greater than R$ 1,064.10 can only be received by electronic transfer or crossed and nominal check. This rule must be observed, even in the case of successive contributions made by the same donor on the same day.
If the candidate withdraws from running
If the voter has made a donation and the candidate withdraws from running in the elections, the money must be returned to the donor. In these cases, however, the amount automatically charged to pay for the virtual crowdfunding platform is discounted, that is, the administrative fee.
Accountability
The issuance of receipts is mandatory for any type of contribution received, whether in cash or card. This is done to enable control by the Public Ministry and the Judiciary.
The collecting company must also make available in site the list with the identification of donors and the respective amounts donated, to be instantly updated with each new contribution, as well as informing candidates and voters about the administrative fees to be charged for carrying out the service.
All donations received through crowdfunding must be entered individually for the gross amount in the rendering of electoral campaign accounts of candidates and political parties.
deadlines
The collecting entities, after prior registration and qualification in the TSE, can start collecting resources for pre-candidates or pre-candidates from 15th May. The deadline for collection is election day, october 2.
