Simone Lawson
Political campaign contributions are an important aspect of the electoral process, and there are several ways to find out more about them. Official websites such as FEC.gov and NCSBE.gov provide access to campaign finance reports and databases that allow users to search for individual contributors, view contributions by state or federal candidates, and explore statistics and trends. OpenSecrets, a research group tracking money in US politics, offers insights into campaign contributions and lobbying activities, including those of dark money groups. These sources enable citizens to understand the financial aspects of elections and the influence of money in politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Website | [FEC.gov], [OpenSecrets.org], [FollowTheMoney.org], [Florida Division of Elections] |
| Search criteria | Individual contributor's name, employer or occupation, city, state, zip code, contribution amount, committee receiving contribution, date of contribution |
| Data availability | Federal Election Commission records of receipts from individuals contributing at least $200 (smaller amounts are not part of the public record) |
| Data coverage | Presidential, Senate, and House elections; state and federal elections; party committees; super PACs; "dark money" groups |
| Additional features | Industry profiles, national party committee finances, outside spending by party committees, ballot measures |
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What You'll Learn
Search by committee/entity
To find political campaign contributions by committee or entity, you can refer to official databases and search tools provided by government bodies. Here's a guide on how to search for campaign contributions by committee/entity:
Federal Level: FEC.gov
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a comprehensive database of campaign finance information on its website, FEC.gov. The site offers various tools to search for political action committees (PACs), party committees, and campaign committees for presidential, House, and Senate candidates. Here's how you can search by committee/entity:
- Committee Master File: This file contains records for each committee registered with the FEC. You can search for federal political action committees, party committees, and campaign committees. The file provides overall receipts, disbursements, and a breakdown of contributions to other committees.
- Search by Committee Type, State, Treasurer, Sponsor, and Filing Frequency: FEC.gov allows you to search for committees by various filters, including type, state or territory, treasurer, sponsor, and filing frequency. This can help you find committees that match specific criteria.
- Statements of Organization (Form 1): These statements contain basic information about committees, including their type, address, and treasurer. They are available on the FEC website and provide organizational insights into different committees.
- Browse Data: The "Browse Data" section on FEC.gov offers additional resources. You can search for Senate and House candidate data, including money raised, spent, cash on hand, and debt. This provides financial insights into candidates and the committees supporting them.
State Level: Vary by State
The availability and accessibility of campaign finance information vary by state. Here are some examples:
- North Carolina: The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) website provides a searchable database for campaign funding and spending reports. You can search by committee/entity, document type, or reported transactions. The database includes contributions received and expenditures made by committees.
- Michigan: The Michigan Secretary of State website offers a searchable database for campaign finance information. It includes committee information and filings, such as Statements of Organization, individual filings, and contributions and expenditure analysis for committees that file electronically.
- California: The California Secretary of State website features Power Search, which allows you to search for contributions to candidates, ballot measures, and contributions from individuals, businesses, and other campaign committees. It also covers independent expenditures made to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures.
When searching for political campaign contributions by committee/entity, it is essential to refer to official sources, such as the FEC or state government websites, to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. These sources provide detailed instructions and search tools to help you find the information you need.
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Search by document type
When it comes to searching for political campaign contributions by document type, there are several online resources that can be utilised. These databases and websites offer insights into campaign financing and provide transparency around the flow of money in politics. Here is an overview of some of the key resources:
OpenSecrets:
OpenSecrets, with its Donor Lookup feature, is a prominent research group dedicated to tracking money in US politics and its impact on elections and policy-making. The database includes Federal Election Commission records of receipts from individuals contributing at least $200. It allows users to search for state or federal candidates to uncover their donors and supporting industries. OpenSecrets also offers industry profiles, enabling users to understand the influence of various sectors on political funding. Additionally, it provides insights into "dark money" groups, which spend significantly on elections without disclosing their funding sources.
Federal Election Commission (FEC):
The FEC maintains a comprehensive database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. Users can search for contributors by their names, employers, occupations, locations, contribution dates, or contribution amounts. The FEC website also offers tips for treasurers and provides information on understanding campaign finance data, election results, and voting.
State-Specific Databases:
Some states, such as Michigan and North Carolina, offer searchable databases for campaign finance information specific to that state. These databases provide access to committee information, filings, contributions, and expenditure data. For example, the Michigan Campaign Finance Searchable Database includes information on candidates, Political Action Committees (PACs), ballot questions, and political parties.
It is important to note that these databases may have specific browser requirements, and users are advised to cross-reference the information with original campaign statements and amendments. Additionally, federal law prohibits using contributor information from these sources for soliciting contributions or commercial purposes.
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Search by contributor name, employer, location, date, or amount
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. The FEC website allows users to search for individual contributors by their first name and/or last name. Additionally, users can search by the contributor's employer or occupation, as well as by city, state, and/or zip code. The database also allows users to search by the date of the contribution or by the contribution amount.
For example, a user can search for all contributions to a particular committee on a specific date or all contributions to a candidate's committee from contributors who share the same employer. These searches may be further narrowed by using additional filters.
It is important to note that the information provided by the FEC is not intended to replace or change the meaning of the law, nor does it create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission.
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Find out about dark money groups
In politics, particularly in the United States, "dark money" refers to funds spent on influencing elections, public policy, and political discourse without disclosing the source of the money to the public. The most common type of dark money group is the 501(c)(4), often called a social welfare organization. These organizations can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals, and unions.
Dark money groups can spend directly on elections, but they are only required to report their spending if they mention a candidate during a brief period before Election Day or spend on express advocacy that explicitly supports a candidate. With each election cycle, dark money groups report less and less spending to the FEC. However, more dark money than ever is pouring into federal elections, with super PACs reporting more dark money contributions.
To find out more about dark money groups, you can use resources such as OpenSecrets, which provides data on campaign contributions and lobbying activity from corporations, trade associations, labor unions, nonprofits, and other advocacy groups. You can also refer to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website, which provides information on campaign finance data and individual candidates' fundraising and spending for presidential, Senate, and House elections. Additionally, you can follow the money trail behind political ads on social media and trace donations to politicians and political committees at the federal and state levels.
It is important to note that dark money spending has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the political process, with critics arguing that voters are kept in the dark about connections between donors and politicians. Efforts have been made to increase transparency, such as the proposed DISCLOSE Act, which aims to require organizations spending significant amounts on elections to disclose their donors.
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Discover donors in your state
If you're looking to discover donors in your state, there are several resources available to help you find this information. Here are some steps you can take:
- Visit the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website: The FEC maintains a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. You can search for contributors by their name, employer, occupation, location (city, state, or zip code), contribution amount, or date. This is a useful way to narrow down your search and find donors in your specific state.
- Explore state-specific databases: Many states have their own searchable databases for campaign finance information. For example, Michigan has a Campaign Finance Searchable Database that provides access to campaign statements filed with the Bureau of Elections. Similarly, California offers Power Search, an open-source search engine that accesses raw data of state-level campaign contributions reported to the Secretary of State's CAL-ACCESS system. Check if your state offers a similar resource to easily find information on donors within your state.
- Utilize OpenSecrets: OpenSecrets is a non-profit organization dedicated to tracking money in U.S. politics. Their Donor Lookup tool allows you to trace donations to politicians and political committees at the federal and state levels. You can search for a state or federal candidate to see the donors and industries that support them. However, note that contribution data on OpenSecrets may not always be up-to-date, and it does not provide street address or phone information for contributors.
- Refer to other resources: Websites like FollowTheMoney.org, which is now integrated with OpenSecrets, provide access to state campaign finance data. You can also explore resources like ballot measures, party committees, super PACs, and "dark money" group spending to understand where donations are coming from within your state.
Remember that some contributions may be made through Political Action Committees (PACs) or other organizations, so be sure to consider all available sources to get a comprehensive understanding of political campaign donations in your state.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find information on political campaign contributions in the U.S. on websites such as OpenSecrets.org, FEC.gov, and FollowTheMoney.org. These websites provide data on campaign contributions at the federal and state levels, including information on donors, industries, and special interests supporting candidates.
You can search for campaign contributions by state or zip code. For example, OpenSecrets allows you to search for donors in your state and find factsheets for lawmakers by entering your zip code or clicking on your state.
Yes, you can search for campaign contributions by the candidate's name. Websites such as OpenSecrets and FEC allow you to search for a specific candidate to see information on their donors, industries supporting them, and how they are spending the money.
Yes, websites such as FEC.gov and OpenSecrets.org provide information on how much individual candidates have raised and spent for presidential, Senate, and House elections.
Yes, in addition to searching by location or candidate, you can also search campaign finance reports by committee/entity or document type. For example, in North Carolina, you can search for campaign finance documents for any committee registered with the State Board by searching by the committee's name or the candidate's name.
