Eleanor Finch
Political campaigns are carried out by campaign committees, which are groups of people or organizations that support or oppose a particular candidate or ballot measure. These committees are typically authorized by the candidate and are responsible for taking in contributions and making expenditures on behalf of the campaign. They are subject to various regulations and requirements, such as registering with the relevant authorities, maintaining financial records, and complying with contribution and expenditure limits. Campaign committees can be formed for a specific election year and disbanded after the election, or they can be continuing committees that operate from year to year. They are an essential part of the political process, allowing candidates to raise funds and conduct their campaigns effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a political committee | Any person, group, club, organization or collection of individuals (except a candidate or individual dealing with their own funds) expecting to receive contributions or make expenditures in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot proposition. |
| Who must designate a campaign committee? | Presidential, House and Senate candidates |
| What does a campaign committee do? | Takes in contributions and makes expenditures on behalf of the campaign |
| Who can't contribute to federal candidates? | Corporations and labor organizations |
| What can corporations and labor organizations do? | Establish and administer a special kind of political committee, called a separate segregated fund (SSF) |
| What can SSFs do? | Solicit contributions from a limited group of people, make contributions to candidates and make expenditures that are coordinated with candidates |
| What are some examples of political party committees? | Democratic National Committee, the Green Party of the United States, the Libertarian National Committee and the Republican National Committee |
| What are some types of committees? | Candidate-controlled committees, committees to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures, political party committees, general purpose committees, independent expenditure committees, major donor committees |
| What are independent expenditure committees? | Make independent expenditures of $1,000 or more per year on California candidates or ballot measures |
| What are major donor committees? | Make contributions of $10,000 or more per year to or at the request of California candidates or ballot measures |
| Who may qualify as a major donor committee? | A business, individual, or multi-purpose organization (including a nonprofit organization) |
| What are some requirements for committees? | File campaign statements by specified deadlines disclosing contributions received and expenditures made, register and file specific disclosure forms with the FEC regarding their activities, disclose campaign depositories |
| What are some types of nonconnected committees? | Host committees, convention committees, inaugural committees |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Campaign committees for federal, state or local office
Campaign committees are an integral part of the political process, and they are required for candidates running for federal, state, or local office. These committees play a crucial role in fundraising, expenditure, and compliance with regulations.
For federal elections in the United States, candidates running for the Senate, House of Representatives, or the Presidency are mandated to establish a campaign committee, often referred to as an "authorized committee." This committee is responsible for receiving contributions and making expenditures on behalf of the campaign. These committees are subject to specific regulations, such as disclosure requirements and contribution limits.
State and local elections also involve campaign committees, which operate under relevant state and local laws. For example, California has implemented the Political Reform Act, which mandates that candidates and committees disclose contributions received and expenditures made by specified deadlines. This promotes transparency and fairness in the election process.
It is important to note that campaign committees can take different forms. For instance, they can be candidate-controlled committees, committees formed to support or oppose specific candidates or ballot measures, or political party committees representing a particular political party at the local, state, or national level. These committees may have varying requirements and restrictions, depending on their specific type and location.
In addition, nonconnected committees, which are not affiliated with a specific candidate or political party, can also be formed. These committees are independent and have the ability to influence federal elections by accepting contributions and making expenditures. However, they are subject to certain disclosure obligations and must comply with specific regulations outlined by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Funding Sources: Politics' Necessary Disclosure
You may want to see also
Political party committees
The two major US political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, have essentially parallel sets of committees, while third parties have more varied organizational structures. Examples of political party committees include the Democratic National Committee, the Green Party of the United States, the Libertarian National Committee, and the Republican National Committee.
In addition to influencing federal elections, political party committees also focus on recruiting, assisting, and supporting candidates from their own party in targeted races across the country. They aim to maximize the number of seats under their party's control in a given chamber and support incumbent members of their caucuses.
Media's Influence on Politics and Campaigns Explained Simply
You may want to see also
Political action committees
There are several types of PACs, including:
- Nonconnected committees: These are not affiliated with a specific candidate or party and can take in contributions and make expenditures to influence federal elections.
- Candidate-controlled committees: Committees formed to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures.
- Political party committees: Committees that represent a political party at the local, state, or national level, such as the Democratic National Committee or the Libertarian National Committee.
- Independent Expenditure Committees: These committees make independent expenditures of $1,000 or more per year on California candidates or ballot measures without consulting with the affected candidate or committee. They do not receive contributions.
- Major Donor Committees: These committees contribute $10,000 or more per year to California candidates or ballot measures. They can be businesses, individuals, or multi-purpose organizations, including nonprofits. They also do not receive contributions.
Political committees must maintain at least one checking or transaction account and disclose their campaign depositories. They may also be required to file specific disclosure forms with the FEC and comply with disclaimer requirements for certain types of communications.
Blocking Political Calls: Regain Your Peace
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Single-year political committees
A political committee is any person, group, club, organization, or collection of individuals (except a candidate or individual dealing with their own funds) expecting to receive contributions or make expenditures in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot proposition. A single-year political committee, also known as a slate committee, is a type of committee organized to support or oppose a particular ballot measure or a slate of candidates. These committees register for a particular election year and disband after the election.
These committees are subject to campaign finance and disclosure laws, which vary depending on the state. For example, in California, committees must file campaign statements by specified deadlines, disclosing contributions received and expenditures made. These documents are public and may be audited to ensure compliance with the rules. Other states, like Washington, have their own definitions and requirements for single-year political committees, so it's important to refer to the specific state's election laws.
It is worth noting that single-year political committees are different from political action committees (PACs), which are tax-exempt organizations that pool campaign contributions from members and donate to campaigns. PACs can be connected, non-connected, or Super PACs, each with different rules regarding the sources and amounts of contributions they can receive. While PACs have more flexibility in terms of the funds they can accept, single-year political committees have a more limited lifespan and purpose, focusing on a specific election year and then disbanding.
How Public Interest Groups Shape Society's Future
You may want to see also
Candidate-controlled committees
A political campaign is not necessarily a campaign committee. A campaign committee is a group of people who are authorised to collect contributions and make expenditures on behalf of a candidate's campaign. Campaign committees are subject to campaign finance and disclosure laws, which vary depending on the state and locality. For example, in California, committees must file campaign statements by specified deadlines disclosing contributions received and expenditures made. These documents are public and may be audited to ensure that voters are fully informed and that no improper practices have taken place.
It is important to note that there may be additional local requirements and restrictions for candidate-controlled committees, such as contribution limits. These requirements and restrictions can vary depending on the city or county, so it is important for candidates and committees to familiarise themselves with the relevant local laws and regulations. Resources and guidance are typically available from local elections offices or ethics agencies, as well as from the FEC and state agencies such as the FPPC.
Join Kamala Harris' Campaign: Ways to Help and Get Involved
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A campaign committee is a group of people that is formed to support or oppose a particular candidate or ballot measure. Campaign committees are often authorized by candidates to take in contributions and make expenditures on behalf of the campaign.
A political committee is a group of people or an organization that expects to receive contributions or make expenditures in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot proposition. Any group that accepts contributions for use in election campaigns can be considered a political committee.
A campaign committee is formed specifically to support or oppose a particular candidate or ballot measure, while a political committee is a broader term for any group that engages in political activities, including supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures.
To be considered a campaign committee, the group must be authorized by the candidate and must register with the appropriate authorities, such as the FEC or PDC. The committee must also disclose certain information, such as its name, address, email address, and the date it officially became a political committee.
