The Federal Candidate Qualification and Oversight Authority (FCQOA) operates under a tiered review process to ensure only fully vetted, eligible individuals may appear on the ballot for federal office. This process involves two primary entities: the Federal Election Board (FEB) and the Oversight Committee (OC).
All candidates are required to submit a comprehensive package of documentation to the FEB no later than one year prior to the filing deadline for the office sought. This includes personal identification documents, financial records, federal census data, and other materials as outlined in Section 3 of the Act.
Upon receipt, the FEB reviews submissions for completeness and procedural compliance. No certification decisions are made at this stage.
Once a candidate’s documentation is deemed complete, the FEB securely transfers all materials to the Oversight Committee (OC). The OC is a separate, independent body comprised of technical and investigative professionals with specialized expertise in digital forensics, security analysis, and behavioral review.
The OC performs a thorough verification of all submitted materials. This includes:
Authenticity checks on all documents
Background and security risk assessments
Financial and behavioral analysis
Continuous digital monitoring (if applicable)
The OC operates autonomously and without influence from the FEB, ensuring impartiality and integrity in all findings.
Upon conclusion of its review, the OC issues a formal determination. If the candidate is found to meet all requirements, this determination is forwarded to the FEB, which is then obligated to certify the candidacy. The FEB may not deny certification if approval has been granted by the OC.
Candidates who fail to meet requirements may be denied certification and may face additional penalties as outlined in
Section 5.
This structured process reinforces the FCQOA’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, security, and accountability in federal elections. The certification process is not merely a formality—it is a safeguard.