Campaign finance question: Should mileage count as a contrib?

[taterguy]

My understanding of election law is that you have to report it if a campaign receives goods and/or services from someone. You can't just give a candidate a role of stamps. If you host a barbecue and someone donates the food you have to report that. However, campaign volunteers drive all over the place for candidates and don't count that as a donation.

Is this a good thing?

Of course I have an ulterior motive for asking. I'm not a big fan of our car culture and I think one of the things that perpetuates it is that we don't really think about the costs of using cars. Should regulatory agencies require candidates to keep records of transportation expenses? Just thinking out loud here. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. That is a question better directed to your state disclosure commission

If you have the time and money, you might want to file a lawsuit (against a Republican campaign, naturally) claiming that they received many thousands of dollars of unreported in-kind contributions by volunteers not reporting their fuel expenses, contributions that are not being reported in accordance with the law. :evilgrin:

[taterguy]

2. I'm more interested in what other people think than reg agencies

Was just trying to have a discussion about an off the wall issue. What say you? If this change was implemented would it be a good thing or a bad thing? Even if no party in particular benefited