NATCHEZ — Campaign finance reports are designed to keep a tab on candidate’s spending and contributions.

But when the deadline to turn in mid-summer spending numbers rolled around Tuesday, more than half the candidates’ reports were nowhere to be found.

Of the 46 candidates in all county races for the upcoming elections, 25 did not turn in campaign finance reports Tuesday.

Some, but not all, candidates in the races for chancery clerk, coroner, supervisors, justice court judge and constables failed to file reports.

Under state law, candidates can be fined $50 a day for up to 10 days for filing late reports.

According to Mississippi Code 23-15-811, intentional violations are classified as a misdemeanor and, if convicted, a violator can be slapped with a $3,000 fine or six months in jail.

No candidate who wins a primary can be certified as the nominee until all his reports are filed.

If a candidate wins the general election, they can’t be certified or paid until they file all reports.

Circuit Clerk M.L. “Binkey” Vines said his office only received the reports and did not enforce the code.

Under code 23-15-813, which provides for civil punishments, within five calendar days after the deadline, the secretary of state is responsible for compiling a list of candidates who have failed to file a report.

The secretary of state must notify those who are late reporting. The secretary may waive the $50-a-day fine if he determines that “unforeseeable mitigating circumstances” interfered.

If the penalties aren’t paid within 120 days of notification, the secretary must notify the attorney general, who would file a suit.

The next campaign finance reports must be filed Oct. 10.