(1) Except as provided in this rule, each statement and report required by Title 13, chapters 35 and 37, MCA, and these rules shall be filed on forms prescribed by the commissioner. The forms may be obtained without cost and upon request from the Commissioner of Political Practices, 1205 Eighth Avenue, P.O. Box 202401, Helena, Montana 59620-2401, telephone (406) 444-2942. The forms may also be downloaded from the office's web site at http://www.political practices.mt.gov. Pursuant to 13-37-226, MCA, candidates for a state office filled by a statewide vote of all the electors of Montana and political committees organized to support or oppose a statewide candidate shall file reports electronically in accordance with the procedure described in this rule.

(a) A report is filed "electronically," as provided in 13-37-226, MCA, by providing the required information to the Commissioner of Political Practices through the office's web site by using the "Campaign Tracker" icon to electronically input the information.

(2) All statements and reports required by Title 13, chapters 35 and 37, MCA, and these rules are filed with the commissioner and, where required by statute, with the appropriate county election administrator, as specified in 13-37-225, MCA, and this rule.

(a) Except for reports filed electronically as provided in this rule, each statement and report filed shall be a legible copy bearing an original signature of the individual filing the statement or report.

(b) A statement or report is filed if it is submitted electronically or delivered to the commissioner and, if required, delivered to the appropriate county election administrator before 5:00 p.m. on the prescribed filing date, or if it is deposited in an established U. S. post office, postage prepaid, no later than 5:00 p.m. three days before the prescribed filing date.   A faxed report is timely filed if the original of the report is filed within five days after the fax transmission.   Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall be excluded in the calculation of the five-day period.

(i) A delivered statement or report shall be acknowledged by a dated receipt.