Simone Lawson
Political campaigns require a lot of money to run, and there are many ways to get involved and make money during the process. Campaigns may raise funds from individuals, political party committees, and political action committees (PACs). Candidates for political office raise money to fund their campaigns and demonstrate their support. Campaign finance laws vary at the state and federal levels, and there are rules in place regarding who can contribute to a campaign, how much they can contribute, and how those contributions are reported. Campaigns can be expensive, and candidates collect millions of dollars in contributions, which are used to pay for travel, administration, salaries, and other campaign-related expenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political campaigns are funded by | Individuals, political party committees, and political action committees (PACs) |
| Campaign finance laws | Vary at the state and federal levels |
| Campaign funding limits | $1,000 per election for a candidate; $2,000 per year for a political party |
| Political action committees (PACs) | Can be created by corporations, labor unions, and membership and trade associations |
| Super PACs | Can accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations |
| Presidential Election Campaign Fund | Funded by taxpayers who choose to direct $3 of their taxes to the fund |
| Public funding for major party presidential nominees | $20 million plus the difference in the price index |
| Campaign expenses | Travel, administration, salaries, and other campaign-related expenses |
| Campaign work opportunities | Volunteering, blogging, web presence management, local political organization, internships, and externships |
| Campaign finance compliance | Handled by law firms or political law groups |
| Campaign funds usage | Cannot be kept by politicians for personal use; must be used for campaign expenses or donated to charities or other candidates |
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What You'll Learn
Become a political campaign volunteer
Volunteering for a political campaign is a powerful way to contribute to the democratic process and support your preferred candidates. Campaigns rely on volunteers to maximise their reach, engage with the community, and champion their candidates. By volunteering, you can help shape the outcome of elections and develop valuable skills and networks that can benefit your personal and professional life.
Volunteering for a campaign can take many forms, and you can choose to participate in the ways that suit you best. Here are some common ways to get involved:
- Canvassing: Going door-to-door to advocate for your candidate, garner support, and turn out votes.
- Phone banking: Making calls to persuade potential voters, ask for donations, or remind people to go vote.
- Postcard writing: Sending reminders to likely voters.
- Fundraising: Hosting events to raise funds for the campaign.
- Social media management: Organising and supporting the campaign online.
- Voter registration: Registering voters on campuses and in specific neighbourhoods.
It's important to note that volunteer services are not considered contributions as long as the volunteer is not paid by anyone. If a volunteer is compensated by someone other than the campaign itself, that payment is considered a contribution to the campaign. Additionally, volunteers can spend unlimited money on normal living expenses, and there are specific rules about using personal or corporate resources for volunteer activities.
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Work for a law firm or political law group
Working for a law firm or political law group during a political campaign can be a great way to get involved in the political process and make money. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're interested in pursuing this path:
Types of Work
Law firms and political law groups typically provide legal services to political candidates, officeholders, and partisan organizations during campaigns. This can include advising on ballot access, campaign finance compliance, election law, and other legal matters. Some firms may also offer policy expertise and brief candidates on specific political issues.
Gaining Experience
To increase your chances of landing a job with a law firm or political law group during a campaign, it's essential to have relevant experience. You can gain experience by working at think tanks, such as the Brookings Institution or the Center for American Progress. Additionally, you can develop expertise through intensive classroom or clinical experience in law school or by participating in groups like the Federalist Society or the American Constitutional Society.
Networking
Networking is crucial when it comes to finding job opportunities in the political realm. Reach out to your college or law school alumni connections to identify individuals affiliated with partisan work or political campaigns. Even if you don't have inside connections, you can network by contacting campaign alumni, as many campaign workers tend to be repeat players and can help connect you to the right people.
Internships and Externships
Law firms and political law groups may offer internships or externships during political campaigns. These positions can provide valuable experience and insights into the political process. However, competition for these positions is typically high, especially during a presidential election year.
Part-time Work
Campaign work is often eligible for employment benefits, such as loan repayment assistance programs (LIPP), as long as it meets certain requirements. To qualify, the work must be part-time, with a minimum of 17.5 hours per week, and compensated at a rate of at least minimum wage.
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Create a political action committee (PAC)
Political action committees (PACs) are a popular way to make money during political campaigns. They are committees that make contributions to other federal political committees. In the United States, a PAC is a tax-exempt 527 organisation that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.
Federal law allows for two types of PACs: connected and non-connected. Judicial decisions have added a third classification, independent expenditure-only committees, which are colloquially known as "super PACs". Most active, registered PACs are "connected PACs" or "corporate PACs", which are established by businesses, non-profits, labour unions, trade groups, or health organisations. These PACs receive and raise money from a "restricted class", generally consisting of managers and shareholders in the case of a corporation or members in the case of a non-profit organisation, labour union, or other interest group.
Non-connected PACs, on the other hand, are often formed by groups with an ideological mission, single-issue groups, and members of Congress and other political leaders. These PACs may accept funds from any individual, connected PAC, or organisation. Elected officials and political parties cannot give more than the federal limit directly to candidates, but they can set up a leadership PAC that makes independent expenditures. Leadership PACs are a way for dominant parties to capture seats from other parties, as they can attract contributions more easily.
To become a PAC, an organisation must receive or spend more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election and register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Super PACs, a type of independent expenditure-only political committee, may accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, unions, and other groups. However, they are not allowed to coordinate with or contribute directly to candidate campaigns or political parties.
Overall, creating a PAC can be a complex process, but it is a powerful way to influence political campaigns and support candidates and issues that are important to you.
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Donate to a political campaign
Donating to a political campaign is a way to support a candidate or cause you believe in. It can also provide donors with certain benefits, such as access to politicians and influence over policy. However, it is important to note that there are laws and regulations in place that govern how campaigns can raise and spend money, and these laws vary by location. For example, in the United States, the Federal Election Campaign Act sets limits on campaign fundraising and spending, establishes disclosure requirements, and prohibits certain entities, such as foreign nationals, from contributing to campaigns.
When donating to a political campaign, it is essential to be aware of the applicable laws and regulations. In the US, for instance, individuals can donate up to $2,000 per election to a candidate's campaign, and expenses on behalf of a political party are limited to $2,000 per year. It is also important to note that political contributions are not tax-deductible in most cases.
There are also different types of committees that can accept donations, such as political action committees (PACs) and super PACs. PACs are typically affiliated with a specific candidate or party and have limits on the amount of money they can accept from individuals and organisations. Super PACs, on the other hand, are independent expenditure-only committees that can accept unlimited contributions from corporations, unions, and other groups. These committees often support specific policies or ideologies rather than individual candidates.
Donating to a political campaign can be a way to show your support for a particular candidate or cause, but it is important to carefully consider the implications and potential consequences of your donation. While donations can provide access and influence, they can also lead to concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for corruption. Therefore, it is essential to be informed and aware of the context in which you are making your donation.
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Run a local political organisation
Running a local political organisation can be a great way to get involved in politics and make a difference in your community. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Find a need in your community: Look for issues that are important to your local area and that you are passionate about. This could be improving schools, advocating for environmental protection, or promoting economic development. Finding a cause that resonates with you and your neighbours will help you build a strong organisation.
Build a team: Running an organisation requires a dedicated team of individuals who share your values and goals. Reach out to friends, family, and community members who may be interested in getting involved. Diversify your team by including people with different skill sets, such as communication, organisation, and fundraising. Delegating tasks and working together will make your organisation more effective.
Register your organisation: Depending on your location, you may need to register your political organisation with the appropriate authorities. This will ensure you are compliant with any legal requirements and allow you to start building your official reputation.
Fundraise and manage finances: Political organisations often rely on donations and fundraising to support their activities. Reach out to local businesses, community members, and organisations that share your values to seek financial support. Keep detailed records of all income and expenses, as you will likely be subject to taxation and may need to report your financial activities.
Engage with your community: Connect with your neighbours through events, town hall meetings, or social media to understand their concerns and build support for your organisation. By actively engaging with the community, you can identify their needs and work together to create positive change.
By following these steps and adapting them to your specific context, you can effectively run a local political organisation and make a meaningful impact in your community. Remember to stay informed, be adaptable, and always act with integrity.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get paid to work on a political campaign by applying for internships or externships at law firms or political law groups that serve officeholders, candidates, and partisan organizations. Campaign work is considered eligible employment for LIPP as long as it is at least part-time (minimum 17.5 hours/week) and compensated at a rate of at least minimum wage.
You can volunteer for a political campaign and have your expenses reimbursed. For example, if you use your own equipment to produce campaign materials, you will be reimbursed. Additionally, if you are an employee, stockholder, or member of a corporation or labor union, you may use their facilities for personal volunteer activities, as long as it does not interfere with your work or the organization's normal activities.
As a candidate, you can raise money to fund your campaign and demonstrate the breadth of your support. You can raise funds from individuals, political party committees, and political action committees (PACs). You can also receive public funds to pay for the qualified expenses of your political campaign.
As a donor, you can make contributions to political campaigns and receive refunds or donations in return. While you cannot claim these contributions as tax deductions, you may receive refunds if the candidate does not make it past the primary election. Additionally, candidates may donate an unlimited amount to a federal, state, or local political committee, providing an opportunity for donors to receive donations in return.
