Isabella Carter
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that does not fund political campaigns or endorse any candidates directly. Instead, it focuses on advocating for civil liberties and civil rights, including issues like abortion rights, voting rights, and immigration reform. ACLU supporters, however, have contributed millions of dollars to various political candidates and committees, including both Democratic and Republican parties. The ACLU also engages in voter education initiatives to inform voters about candidates' positions on key issues, ensuring that voters can make informed decisions regarding their rights and freedoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the ACLU fund political campaigns? | No, the ACLU does not directly fund political campaigns or endorse/oppose any candidate or party. |
| Do ACLU supporters fund political campaigns? | Yes, ACLU supporters contributed $482 million to political campaigns in 2020, with $463 million going to Democratic candidates and $19 million to Republicans. |
| Does the ACLU support political campaigns in other ways? | The ACLU supports political campaigns indirectly by educating voters about candidates' positions on issues like abortion rights and voting rights. The ACLU also advocates for reform of the system of electing candidates to federal office, including public financing of campaigns. |
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What You'll Learn
- The ACLU does not fund political campaigns directly
- ACLU supporters contributed $482 million to political giving
- ACLU supporters gave $463 million to Democrats and $19 million to Republicans
- The ACLU supports public financing of campaigns
- The ACLU Voter Education Fund informs voters about candidates' positions
The ACLU does not fund political campaigns directly
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) does not fund political campaigns directly. As a non-partisan organization, the ACLU does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office, nor does it provide funding to candidates or parties directly. This is in line with the general rule that organizations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees.
However, the ACLU's supporters are a significant source of political funding. In the 2020 election cycle, ACLU supporters contributed a total of $482 million to Democratic and Republican candidates, committees, and PACs. This included $463 million to Democratic candidates and $19 million to Republicans, with $1.7 million going to President Trump's campaign.
The ACLU actively educates its supporters about the civil rights and civil liberties records of candidates and works to increase election turnout. In 2018, the ACLU sponsored three ballot referenda in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, investing over $11 million to re-enfranchise over 2 million new voters for the 2020 election.
The ACLU Voter Education Fund, launched in March 2024, is a federal political action committee that aims to inform and educate voters about the candidates' positions on key issues, such as abortion rights, during the 2024 election cycle and beyond. While the ACLU itself does not support, oppose, or endorse candidates, this fund provides voters with crucial information about the candidates' stances.
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ACLU supporters contributed $482 million to political giving
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation that does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office, nor does it provide funding to candidates or parties directly. The ACLU does, however, actively educate its supporters about the civil rights and civil liberties records of candidates and works to inform and increase election turnout.
In 2020, ACLU supporters contributed $482 million to political giving to both parties, with $463 million going to Democratic candidates, committees, and PACs, and $19 million to Republicans, including $1.7 million to President Trump's campaign. ACLU supporters' contributions represented between 20 and 30 percent of all Democratic fundraising, making them a key constituency in the 2020 elections.
The ACLU's membership includes 1.8 million supporters, a fourfold increase since the 2016 election, making it a major political fundraising and engagement powerhouse. More than 328,000 unique ACLU supporters have given more than $200 to a political cause, and there are at least 550,000 more ACLU supporters who have contributed smaller amounts.
The ACLU supports a comprehensive and meaningful system of public financing to create a level playing field for every qualified candidate. They advocate for reform of the current system, including their longstanding commitment to public financing of campaigns, stressing fidelity to the principles protected by the First Amendment. The ACLU also supports carefully drawn disclosure rules, reasonable limits on campaign contributions, and stricter enforcement of existing bans on coordination between candidates and super PACs.
In 2024, the ACLU, the ACLU Voter Education Fund, and the ACLU of Wisconsin launched a $1.75 million voter education campaign to inform voters about the candidates' positions on abortion rights in the 2024 U.S. Senate race and state legislative races in Wisconsin. The campaign is part of the ACLU's $25 million effort to safeguard and advance fundamental rights during the 2024 election, focusing on protecting and expanding abortion and voting rights.
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ACLU supporters gave $463 million to Democrats and $19 million to Republicans
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation that does not directly fund political campaigns. It does, however, play an important role in political fundraising and engagement. In 2020, ACLU supporters contributed a total of $482 million to political causes, with donations to Democratic candidates, committees, and PACs accounting for $463 million of this amount, while $19 million was donated to Republicans. This included $1.7 million to President Trump's campaign.
The ACLU's supporters are a key constituency in the 2020 elections, with their contributions making up 20-30% of all Democratic fundraising. The ACLU's Executive Director, Anthony D. Romero, emphasised the importance of the group's supporters in the election, stating that candidates and parties would need to address civil liberties and civil rights issues or "ignore [them] at their own peril".
While the ACLU does not directly fund or endorse candidates, it actively educates its supporters about the civil rights and civil liberties records of candidates. It also works to expand voting rights through policy change. For example, in 2018, the ACLU sponsored three ballot referenda in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, investing over $11 million to re-enfranchise over 2 million new voters for the 2020 election.
The ACLU also advocates for campaign finance reform, supporting public financing of campaigns and reasonable limits on campaign contributions. They believe that the system of electing candidates to federal office needs repair, and that resources for political advocacy should be expanded rather than limited.
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The ACLU supports public financing of campaigns
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stated its support for public financing of campaigns. The ACLU believes that the system of electing candidates to federal office needs reform. It advocates for a comprehensive and meaningful system of public financing that would help create a level playing field for every qualified candidate. This is in line with their commitment to expanding, rather than limiting, political speech and resources available for political advocacy.
In 2020, ACLU supporters contributed $482 million in political giving to both parties, with nearly $463 million going to Democratic candidates, committees, and PACs, and $19 million to Republicans, including $1.7 million to President Trump's campaign. ACLU supporters' contributions represented between 20 and 30 percent of all Democratic fundraising, making them a key constituency in the 2020 elections.
The ACLU's position on public financing of campaigns is informed by its commitment to protecting and defending civil liberties and civil rights. The organization does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office and does not provide funding to candidates or parties directly. Instead, it actively educates its supporters about the civil rights and civil liberties records of candidates and works to inform and increase election turnout.
The ACLU also supports carefully drawn disclosure rules, reasonable limits on campaign contributions, and stricter enforcement of existing bans on coordination between candidates and super PACs. It maintains that any regulation of the electoral and campaign process must be fair, reasonable, understandable, and not unduly burdensome, while also assuring integrity, inclusivity, and participation.
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The ACLU Voter Education Fund informs voters about candidates' positions
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) does not endorse or fund political campaigns or candidates directly. The organisation has a neutral stance on political parties and candidates, neither supporting nor opposing any. However, the ACLU does actively engage in political education and mobilisation.
The ACLU Voter Education Fund, launched in March 2024, is a federal political action committee with a stated goal of informing and educating voters about the candidates' positions on key issues. The fund is designed to ensure voters are aware of the candidates' stances on civil liberties and rights, allowing voters to make informed decisions about their rights.
The Voter Education Fund is a response to critical issues on the ballot, such as abortion rights, voting rights, and the future of democracy. The fund is intended to expand the ACLU's work in defending these rights, regardless of the political party in power.
In 2024, the ACLU, the ACLU Voter Education Fund, and the ACLU of Wisconsin launched a $1.75 million voter education campaign focused on the 2024 U.S. Senate race and state legislative races in Wisconsin. The campaign aimed to inform voters about the candidates' positions on abortion rights, featuring a six-week radio ad with the candidates' own words on the issue.
The ACLU's supporters also contribute significantly to political campaigns and parties, with donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates, committees, and PACs. In the 2020 election cycle, ACLU supporters contributed a total of $482 million, with $463 million going to Democratic candidates and committees and $19 million to Republicans, including $1.7 million to President Trump's campaign.
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Frequently asked questions
The ACLU does not fund political campaigns. However, it supports public financing of campaigns and advocates for reform of the current system of electing candidates to federal office.
The ACLU is a non-partisan organization that aims to protect and defend civil liberties and civil rights. It does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office but educates supporters about the civil rights and civil liberties records of candidates.
The ACLU works to expand voting rights and increase election turnout. In 2018, the ACLU sponsored three ballot referenda in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, which re-enfranchised over 2 million new voters for the 2020 election.
Yes, ACLU supporters have contributed significant amounts to political campaigns. In 2020, ACLU supporters contributed a total of \$482 million to Democratic and Republican candidates, committees, and PACs.
The ACLU Voter Education Fund is a federal political action committee launched in March 2024 to educate voters about the candidates' positions on key issues, such as abortion rights and voting rights, during the 2024 election and beyond.
