campaign finance Flashcards
campaign finance
all the $ raised to support or oppose electoral candidates, issues, parties, etc
why do campaign finances have regulations
to prevent candidates from receiving unnecessary amounts of $ (especially from corporations)
hard money
regulated $ contributed directly to candidates
ex. individual limit is $2900 per candidate per election cycle
soft money
spend on party activities, looser restrictions
individual donations
may donate to candidates as well as political organizations up to a limit
candidates THEMSELVES
may spend unlimited amount of their personal $
political parties
may support their nominated candidate within legal limits
public federal/state funds
provides a limited amount of matching funds
527s
tax exempt organization. may advocate for or against election issues (PACs)
501(c)(4)s
tax exempt organization concerning social welfare issues that benefit the common good
political action committees (PACs)
groups and organizations with special interests in electoral politics
- set up on behalf of corporations, interest groups, and unions to raise funds and get candidate elected
PACs
may contribute up to $5000 to an individual candidate. individuals may contribute up to $5000 to any particular PAC
Super PACs
may raise and spend unlimited funds, BUT they may NOT donate directly to nor coordinate with a candidate or party
citizens united v FEC
ruled corporate funding is an expression of FREE SPEECH this case gave rise to super pacs. overturned parts of BCRA
