Simone Lawson
In the United States, donations made to political campaigns are generally a matter of public record. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a database of individuals who have contributed to federally registered political committees. All Senate, House, and presidential candidates are required to report campaign donations to the FEC, and the public can search the FEC database by the recipient or contributor name, as well as narrow results by zip code, donor occupation, employer, contribution amount, and more. There are also non-profit, non-partisan organizations like OpenSecrets and FollowTheMoney.org that track and provide information on campaign donations and spending. These organizations offer searchable databases and tools to help users understand the flow of money in U.S. politics, although they may not provide specific details like street addresses or phone numbers of contributors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is the name of political campaign donors public information? | Yes, in general, donations made to political campaigns are public record. |
| Who maintains the database? | The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. |
| What is the minimum donation amount to be considered a public record? | $200. Smaller contributions are not part of the public record. |
| What information is collected and reported? | The amount of information collected and reported varies by donation amount. For contributions of $50 or less, campaigns do not need to collect any identifiable information about the donor. |
| Are there any state-specific requirements? | Yes, reporting requirements vary for state candidates based on state laws. For example, campaigns may not need to disclose donor identities for small-dollar contributions of less than $50-$100. |
| Are there any third-party websites that provide this information? | Yes, OpenSecrets (formerly the Center for Responsive Politics) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that tracks money in U.S. politics and provides a searchable donor database. Other websites include FollowTheMoney.org and lifehacker.com. |
| What additional information is provided by third-party websites? | OpenSecrets provides information on outside spending by party committees, super PACs, and "dark money" groups. Lifehacker offers a more manageable option to browse contributions with its Get Local! tool, which allows users to select a candidate's state and pull up reports by donor, candidate, metro area, and more. |
| Are there any state-specific databases? | Yes, some states like Michigan have their own searchable campaign finance databases. |
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What You'll Learn
- Donor information is public record, but smaller contributions are not
- The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a database of donors
- Non-profits like OpenSecrets provide an alternative way to search donor information
- State-level databases also exist, such as Michigan's Campaign Finance Searchable Database
- Federal law prohibits the use of donor information for commercial purposes
Donor information is public record, but smaller contributions are not
Donor information is typically public record, but smaller contributions are not. In the United States, all Senate, House, and presidential candidates are required to report campaign donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The FEC maintains a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees, and this information is publicly available. However, FEC rules state that campaigns are not required to collect identifiable donor information for contributions of $50 or less. Federal law also prohibits the use of contributor information for soliciting donations or for commercial purposes.
The amount of information collected and reported to the FEC varies depending on the donation amount. While larger donations are meticulously tracked and recorded, smaller contributions may not be subject to the same level of scrutiny. This is where organizations like OpenSecrets come in. OpenSecrets is a non-profit, non-partisan research group that tracks money in U.S. politics, including campaign contributions and lobbying activity from corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and advocacy groups. Their database includes information on federal election donations of at least $200, as this is the threshold for public record.
While the FEC database provides valuable insights into political donations, it can be challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar with it. OpenSecrets offers a more user-friendly alternative with its searchable campaign donation database. This database allows users to search for donors by recipient or contributor and filter results by various factors, including donor occupation, employer, and zip code. Additionally, OpenSecrets provides detailed reports on spending by lobbyists, political action committees (PACs), and interest groups, giving a more comprehensive picture of political financing.
It is worth noting that contribution data on donor lookup tools like OpenSecrets may not always be up to date, and they may not provide specific information such as street addresses or phone numbers for contributors. Nevertheless, these tools are valuable resources for those interested in understanding the financial landscape of U.S. politics and the influence of money on elections and public policy. By leveraging these databases, individuals can gain insights into which campaigns or candidates donors have contributed to and make more informed decisions accordingly.
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The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a database of donors
The FEC's database allows users to search for individual contributors by their first and last name, employer, occupation, location (city, state, and/or zip code), and the date and amount of their contribution. Additionally, users can narrow their searches by using filters, such as searching for all contributions to a particular committee on a specific date or all contributions to a candidate's committee from donors with the same employer.
The FEC database also provides information on money raised and spent by presidential candidates, as well as cash on hand and debt. This includes data on individual candidates' fundraising and spending for presidential, Senate, and House elections.
It is important to note that federal law prohibits using contributor information from the FEC database for soliciting contributions or for commercial purposes. The database includes records of receipts from individuals who contribute at least $200; smaller contributions are not part of the public record. Additionally, contributions to politicians can also be made through Political Action Committees (PACs), which are not always publicly disclosed, especially in the case of anonymous "dark money" groups.
For those interested in further researching campaign finance and donor information, additional resources are available. OpenSecrets, a research group dedicated to tracking money in U.S. politics, offers a Donor Lookup tool. This tool provides insights into state and federal candidates, allowing users to see donors and industries supporting specific candidates or exploring ballot measures attracting significant spending. However, OpenSecrets does not provide street address or phone information for contributors, and contribution data may be delayed.
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Non-profits like OpenSecrets provide an alternative way to search donor information
Non-profits like OpenSecrets provide an alternative way to search for donor information. OpenSecrets is a non-profit, donor-funded research group that tracks money in U.S. politics and its impact on elections and public policy. The website offers a searchable database of donor information, allowing users to see who is funding their elected representatives and influencing policy.
The OpenSecrets donor database includes information on individual contributors, organizations, and industries. Users can search for donors by name, state, or federal candidate. The database also includes information on outside spending by super PACs and "dark money" groups, allowing users to see who is spending to influence elections and policy.
One key feature of the OpenSecrets donor database is the ability to track money flowing in and out of political action committees (PACs). This includes information on lobbyists and the influence of various industries and economic sectors. The database also includes information on appointees, administrators, and judicial officeholders, providing a comprehensive view of money's influence on politics.
It's important to note that OpenSecrets does not provide street address or phone information for contributors, and federal law prohibits the use of contributor information for soliciting contributions or commercial purposes. The database includes Federal Election Commission records of receipts from individuals who contribute at least $200, as smaller contributions are typically not part of the public record.
In addition to the donor database, OpenSecrets offers in-depth analyses, workshops, and training on money-in-politics data. Users can also sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about the influence of money on U.S. elections and public policy. By providing transparent and accessible information, OpenSecrets aims to strengthen democracy and empower citizens to make informed decisions.
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State-level databases also exist, such as Michigan's Campaign Finance Searchable Database
In the United States, the names of political campaign donors are indeed a matter of public record. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a publicly accessible database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. This database can be searched by the donor's name, employer, occupation, location, donation amount, and date, among other filters. However, it is important to note that federal law only mandates the public disclosure of contributions exceeding $200, with smaller donations not being part of the public record.
At the state level, various organizations and government bodies also provide databases and transparency initiatives. For example, Michigan's Campaign Finance Searchable Database offers detailed information on campaign contributions and expenditures at the state level. Similarly, other states have their own disclosure databases, providing transparency into political funding sources and expenditures.
OpenSecrets, a non-profit research organization, is another prominent source for tracking money in U.S. politics. Their Donor Lookup tool allows users to search for contributions to politicians at every level of government, from state to federal. OpenSecrets aggregates data from various sources, including the FEC, state agencies, and other public records, to provide a comprehensive view of campaign finance. However, it is important to note that OpenSecrets does not provide street address or phone information for contributors.
In addition to these national and state-level resources, other organizations, such as FollowTheMoney.org, a joint initiative of the National Institute on Money in Politics and the Center for Responsive Politics, offer state-level campaign finance data. These organizations aim to provide transparency and insights into the influence of money in politics, allowing citizens to understand the financial forces shaping elections and policy-making.
These databases and transparency initiatives are crucial for promoting transparency and accountability in the political process. They enable citizens, journalists, and researchers to trace the flow of money, identify potential conflicts of interest, and ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations. By making this information publicly accessible, these tools strengthen democratic principles and empower individuals to make informed decisions.
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Federal law prohibits the use of donor information for commercial purposes
The Act also mandates that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) makes these campaign finance disclosure reports available to the public within 48 hours of receipt. However, it is important to note that the Act prohibits the sale or use of donor information, including names and addresses, for the purpose of soliciting additional contributions. This restriction is in place to protect the privacy of individual contributors.
The FEC website provides a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. This database can be searched by the public using various filters, such as the contributor's name, employer, occupation, location, contribution date, or amount. While the database includes information on donors, it does not provide street addresses or phone numbers for contributors, maintaining a level of privacy.
There have been several lawsuits challenging mandatory donor disclosure laws. For example, Citizens United filed a suit arguing that mandatory disclosure abridges free speech and conflicts with federal law ensuring donor confidentiality. Additionally, some states, like California, have faced legal challenges due to their demands for donor information from charities, with plaintiffs arguing that mandatory disclosure violates the First Amendment.
It is worth noting that there are exceptions to the prohibition on using donor information for commercial purposes. Bona fide academic research projects that do not involve the sale or use of information for commercial purposes or soliciting contributions are permitted. Additionally, candidates may use contributor information for specific purposes, such as responding to defamatory charges or informing donors of unauthorized solicitations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in general, donations made to political campaigns are a matter of public record. All Senate, House, and presidential candidates are required to report campaign donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The FEC has a searchable donor database that allows you to browse donors by recipient or contributor and filter by zip code, donor occupation, employer, contribution amount, and more. You can also use non-profit, non-partisan organizations like OpenSecrets, which has a similar searchable database.
The FEC database includes records of receipts from individuals who contribute at least $200. Smaller contributions are not part of the public record. OpenSecrets, on the other hand, does not provide street address or phone number information for contributors.
Yes, some states like Michigan have their own searchable campaign finance databases. These databases provide information on committees, including address and treasurer details, as well as contributions and expenditures for committees that file electronically.
Yes, OpenSecrets provides information on how candidates and political groups are spending donor money. You can also refer to the "Get Local!" tool on the Lifehacker website to browse reports by donor, candidate, metro area, and more.
