Jonah Patel
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established on October 15, 1974, and opened its doors in 1975. The FEC is charged with administering and enforcing the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency. The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing federal campaign finance laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Establishment | 15 October 1974 or 1975 |
| Type of Agency | Independent Regulatory Agency |
| Purpose | To administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended |
| Jurisdiction | Financing of Campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency |
| Mission | To protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws |
| Notable Cases | Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), SpeechNow.org v. FEC (2010), McCutcheon v. FEC (2012) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established in 1975
- FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process
- FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the US House, Senate, Presidency and Vice Presidency
- FEC publishes Federal Elections, a biennial compilation of official federal election results
- FEC's first actions included auditing all presidential campaigns that received public funds
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established in 1975
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency. The mission of the FEC is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.
The establishment of the FEC in 1975 was the culmination of a long history of efforts to limit the influence of money in politics, with concerns dating back to at least President Andrew Jackson, who is credited with creating the spoils system of political patronage. Jackson promised positions of influence in his government to individuals and businesses that supported him during his campaign, and he was the first candidate to raise a large sum of money to fund his campaign, much of it from his loyal civil servants.
In the years since its establishment, the FEC has taken several actions to promote transparency and enforce campaign finance laws. For example, in 1976, the FEC began auditing all presidential campaigns that received public campaign funds, and in 1979, the agency required all presidential candidates to submit personal financial information to the FEC. These provisions allow the FEC to identify potential conflicts of interest and illegal financial actions on the part of the candidates.
The FEC also has exclusive jurisdiction over the civil enforcement of federal campaign finance law. Enforcement cases can arise from audits, complaints, referrals from other government agencies, or self-submissions, and anyone can submit a complaint if they believe a violation of the law has occurred or is about to occur. The FEC is responsible for making campaign finance disclosure reports available to the public, including on its website, within 48 hours of receipt.
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FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency. The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.
As early as 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the need for campaign finance reform and called for legislation to ban corporate contributions for political purposes. In response, Congress enacted several statutes between 1907 and 1966. However, without a central administrative authority, the campaign finance laws were difficult to enforce. The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) consolidated earlier reform efforts and instituted more stringent disclosure requirements for federal candidates, political parties, and political action committees (PACs). Following reports of serious financial abuses in the 1972 presidential campaign, Congress amended FECA in 1974 to set limits on contributions by individuals, political parties, and PACs, and to allow for the establishment of the FEC.
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. The Office of General Counsel primarily handles enforcement cases, known as Matters Under Review (MURs). The FEC is also responsible for collecting and disclosing campaign finance information, such as who is raising and spending money on elections, and enforcing provisions of FECA. The FEC makes campaign finance disclosure reports available to the public on its website within 48 hours of receipt. While these reports are available to the public, the Act prohibits using individual contributor information for soliciting contributions or for any commercial purpose.
The FEC's mission to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process is crucial for maintaining transparency and fairness in the electoral system. By enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws, the FEC ensures that campaigns are properly financed and that the public has access to information about the money used in federal elections. This helps prevent financial abuses and ensures compliance with the law, thereby strengthening the democratic process.
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FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the US House, Senate, Presidency and Vice Presidency
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act). The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the US House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency.
The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws. Federal campaign finance law covers three broad subjects: public disclosure of funds raised and spent to influence federal elections, restrictions on contributions and expenditures made to influence federal elections, and the public financing of presidential campaigns.
The FEC publishes Federal Elections, a biennial compilation of official, certified federal election results obtained from each state's election office and other official sources. These publications include primary, runoff, and general election results for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and (when applicable) the President. The FEC also makes campaign finance disclosure reports available to the public, including on its website, within 48 hours of receipt.
While the FEC administers the federal campaign finance laws, it has no jurisdiction over the laws relating to voting, voter fraud and intimidation, ballot access, or the Electoral College. The FEC's jurisdiction is limited to the financing of campaigns for federal offices, specifically the US House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency.
The FEC plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the democratic process by ensuring transparency and fairness in campaign financing for these key positions in the US government.
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FEC publishes Federal Elections, a biennial compilation of official federal election results
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency. The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.
The FEC publishes Federal Elections, a biennial compilation of official, certified federal election results obtained from each state's election office and other official sources. These publications include primary, runoff, and general election results for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and (when applicable) the President. The reports are available for elections from 1982 to 2020 and can be downloaded from the FEC website.
The FEC also publishes a Combined Federal/State Disclosure and Election Directory, which provides contact information and links to the elections offices of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all of which conduct federal elections.
While the FEC administers the federal campaign finance laws, it is important to note that it does not have jurisdiction over laws relating to ballot access for candidates, voter fraud and intimidation, ballot access, or the Electoral College. State laws and procedures govern how candidates appear on election ballots, and individuals should contact the chief election official in their state for this information.
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FEC's first actions included auditing all presidential campaigns that received public funds
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency, and Vice Presidency. The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.
One of the FEC's key roles is to audit campaigns that receive public funds for either the primary or general elections. This includes all presidential campaigns, as the FEC has the authority to certify eligibility for public funds and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
The FEC's first actions in 1975 included establishing guidelines and procedures for campaigns and political committees to comply with financial disclosure requirements and contribution and expenditure limits. On December 18, 1975, Terry Sanford, Gerald Ford, and Lloyd Bentsen became the first candidates certified to the Secretary of the Treasury for primary matching funds.
The FEC's focus on auditing presidential campaigns that received public funds continued into 1976, with the first mandatory audits of presidential campaigns taking place on January 1, 1976. The FEC also published its first newsletter and a Campaign Guide series in 1976 to assist candidates and committees in complying with the Federal Election Campaign Act.
The FEC has consistently played a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign finance, including the auditing of presidential campaigns that receive public funds. The FEC's work in this area helps maintain public trust in the electoral process and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established on October 15, 1974, and opened its doors in 1975.
The FEC's mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.
The creation of the FEC was the culmination of a long history of efforts to limit the influence of money in politics, with concerns dating back at least to Andrew Jackson, who is credited with creating the spoils system of political patronage.
One of the FEC's first actions was to start auditing all presidential campaigns that received public campaign funds in 1976. Then, in 1979, the agency required that all presidential candidates submit personal financial information to the FEC to promote transparency and identify potential conflicts of interest.
