Eleanor Finch
President Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race has raised questions about the Biden-Harris campaign's substantial campaign funds, which stood at approximately $240 million as of the day he withdrew from the race. A significant portion of the funds is controlled by the Democratic National Committee and other party committees, while more than $90 million was held by Biden's principal campaign committee. According to FEC regulations, these funds will now be used by the Harris campaign, as Harris takes over as the new presidential candidate. Individuals interested in contributing to the campaign can do so through ActBlue's digital tools, which provide a platform for online donations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biden's 2024 campaign funds | $240 million |
| Current status of the campaign | Taken over by Vice President Harris |
| Where will the funds go? | Harris for President and Harris Victory Fund |
| Who can donate? | Individuals, groups, corporations, unions, political action committees (PACs), super PACs, and employees and owners of corporations and their immediate families |
| Limitations | Cannot accept private contributions for the campaign |
| Online tools | ActBlue |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Donating online using ActBlue's digital tools
Donating to political campaigns is a great way to show your support for a candidate and their vision. If you are interested in donating to President Biden's campaign, you can do so online using ActBlue's digital tools. ActBlue is a nonprofit, fundraising software organisation that helps Democrats raise money for their campaigns. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to donate to Biden's campaign using ActBlue:
Step 1: Visit the ActBlue Website
Go to www.actblue.com, the official website of ActBlue. Here you will find the option to donate to various Democratic candidates and organisations.
Step 2: Search for Biden's Campaign
On the ActBlue website, you can use the search bar to look for "Biden." This will bring up the fundraising pages for Biden's campaign and any affiliated committees.
Step 3: Select the Amount and Frequency
Once you have located the correct fundraising page, you will be able to choose the amount you wish to donate. You can select a preset amount or enter a custom amount. Additionally, you can make a one-time donation or opt for recurring donations, which will be charged to your payment method at regular intervals.
Step 4: Provide Payment Information
ActBlue accepts various payment methods, including credit and debit cards. You will need to enter your payment details securely on their website.
Step 5: Review and Confirm Your Donation
Before finalising your donation, carefully review the details, including the amount, frequency, and payment information. Once you are satisfied, confirm your donation.
Step 6: Receive a Receipt and Thank You
After your donation is processed, you will typically receive an email receipt and a thank-you note from the campaign. This confirms that your donation has been successfully received.
It is important to note that with President Biden's decision not to seek re-election in 2024, his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, has taken over the campaign funds. Therefore, your donation will now go towards the Harris campaign, specifically the committees "Harris for President" and "Harris Victory Fund." This transfer of funds is in line with FEC regulations and is a standard procedure in such cases.
Zyn's Donation to Kamala Harris: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Understanding campaign finance law
Federal campaign finance law in the US places limits on campaign contributions to candidates for president and Congress. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA), which restricts the amount of money individuals and political organisations can give to a candidate running for federal office.
The FEC has exclusive jurisdiction over the civil enforcement of the federal campaign finance law. Enforcement cases can arise from audits, complaints, referrals from other government agencies or self-submissions. Anyone can submit a complaint if they believe a violation of the law has occurred or is about to occur. The FEC also sets campaign contribution limits for individuals and groups and oversees public funding used in presidential elections.
The FEC's website provides information on the law for citizens who want to support or oppose federal candidates. Individuals and groups may support or oppose a candidate by paying for public communications, such as broadcast, cable, satellite communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising, mass mailing, telephone banking, or any other form of general public political advertising. However, communications over the internet are not considered "public communications" unless they are placed for a fee on another person's website, device or application. When an individual or group pays for a communication that is coordinated with a campaign, a disclaimer notice must be displayed.
Individuals and groups may also support or oppose candidates by making independent expenditures, which expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and are not made in coordination with any campaign, candidate, political party committee, or agent. Independent expenditures are not subject to contribution limits but may be subject to reporting requirements.
Political Campaigns: Your Number, Their Target
You may want to see also
Contributing to Super PACs
Political action committees, or PACs, are groups that raise and spend money to influence political campaigns. A Super PAC is a type of political action committee that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, and other sources to influence elections, as long as they do not directly contribute to a specific political campaign or coordinate with a campaign's strategy.
- No contribution limits: Unlike traditional PACs, which have limits on the amount an individual or organization can contribute, Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from any source, including corporations, unions, and other special interest groups. This allows Super PACs to have a significant impact on political campaigns by funding various activities such as advertising and other promotional materials.
- Independence: Super PACs are required to operate independently of the campaigns they support. This means they cannot coordinate their activities or strategies with the campaign or political party. They must make decisions about how to spend their funds without input from the campaign.
- Disclosure requirements: While Super PACs are allowed to accept unlimited contributions, they are subject to disclosure requirements. This means they must publicly disclose their donors and the amounts contributed, providing transparency around who is funding these committees.
- Support for specific causes or candidates: Super PACs often focus on supporting or opposing specific candidates or causes. They may be formed to support a particular candidate, such as Biden, by promoting their platform and policies. Alternatively, they might focus on a specific issue, such as environmental protection or healthcare reform, and support candidates who align with their cause.
- Potential for increased influence: The ability of Super PACs to raise and spend unlimited funds can significantly influence election outcomes. They can run ads, organize grassroots campaigns, and engage in other activities to promote their preferred candidates or causes, potentially swaying public opinion and affecting voting behaviour.
It is important to note that the laws and regulations regarding Super PACs can vary across different jurisdictions, and it is essential to stay informed about the specific rules applicable to your location.
The Key to Successful Campaigns: Candidate-Centric Strategies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.95
Making independent expenditures
Independent expenditures can be made to expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a specific candidate. This can include spending money to buy ads, send mail, or engage in other activities that promote or oppose a candidate. It is important to note that these expenditures cannot be coordinated with candidates, parties, or their agents.
When making independent expenditures, certain disclaimer requirements must be met. Any communication paid for by an individual, group, political committee, corporation, or labor organization that is not authorized by a candidate or campaign must contain a disclaimer notice. This notice should include the full name of the payor, along with any abbreviated names used, as well as their permanent street address, telephone number, or website address. It should also state that the communication was not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Additionally, if a communication would require a disclaimer if distributed separately, it must still display the disclaimer when included in a package of materials. For example, if a campaign poster is mailed with a solicitation for contributions, both the poster and the solicitation must bear the disclaimer. There are exceptions for small items where including a disclaimer is not practical, such as bumper stickers or campaign buttons.
Kamala Harris: A Real Contender or Not?
You may want to see also
Using a computer for political activity
When an individual or group pays for a communication that is coordinated with a campaign or candidate, it is considered an in-kind contribution and is subject to limitations and prohibitions. A disclaimer notice must also be displayed.
Now, when it comes to using a computer for political activity, the internet offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals to get involved. For example, an uncompensated individual or group can engage in internet activities to influence a federal election without any restrictions. This could include creating, maintaining, or hosting a website to promote a particular political viewpoint or candidate. However, if volunteer work or the use of online tools exceeds a certain amount, reimbursement to the tool provider may be required, and this reimbursement may be considered a contribution to the political committee that benefits.
Additionally, it's worth noting that communications over the internet are generally not considered "public communications" and are therefore not subject to the same regulations as other forms of media, such as broadcast, cable, or satellite communications. However, if a communication is placed for a fee on another person's website, digital device, application, or advertising platform, it may then be considered a public communication and subject to different rules.
Kamala Harris: Will She Visit Oregon?
You may want to see also
