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Is money given to political campaigns a form of free speech? The Supreme Court says it is, and thus any limitations put on one's ability to donate to political candidates are difficult to set. Since the 1970s, campaign finance has played an increasingly important role in determining the success and failure of political candidates. Indeed, many argue that the candidate with the most money has the best chance at winning. Is money given to political campaigns a form of free speech? The Supreme Court says it is, and thus any limitations put on one's ability to donate to political candidates are difficult to set. Since the 1970s, campaign finance has played an increasingly important role in determining the success and failure of political candidates. Indeed, many argue that the candidate with the most money has the best chance at winning.

VOCABULARY 527 groups 527 groups Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) class actions suits class actions suits Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) free riders free riders McConnell v. Federal Election Commission (2003) McConnell v. Federal Election Commission (2003) political action committees (PACs) political action committees (PACs) soft money soft money super PACs super PACs

DISCLOSURE During election years, candidates must file reports seven days before an election for which they have received contributions or made expenditures. They must also file periodic reports after April, May, June, September, and December of every gubernatorial election year, and an annual report the following January. Finally, if the candidate receives a contribution of $200 or more from a single source within 10 days of an election, the candidate must disclose it within 48 hours. The contents of these reports must include “the total amount of all contributions and the total amount of all expenditures of the candidate... during the election year.” During election years, candidates must file reports seven days before an election for which they have received contributions or made expenditures. They must also file periodic reports after April, May, June, September, and December of every gubernatorial election year, and an annual report the following January. Finally, if the candidate receives a contribution of $200 or more from a single source within 10 days of an election, the candidate must disclose it within 48 hours. The contents of these reports must include “the total amount of all contributions and the total amount of all expenditures of the candidate... during the election year.”

PACS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission protect independent political communications, like television or radio ads, as valid exercises of First Amendment free speech rights, on the basis that fear of corruption is not great enough with independent groups to warrant limiting their freedom of speech. U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission protect independent political communications, like television or radio ads, as valid exercises of First Amendment free speech rights, on the basis that fear of corruption is not great enough with independent groups to warrant limiting their freedom of speech. What does this mean? This means that states are unable to limit how much an individual or group (like a PAC) can raise if they are not directly associated with a campaign. States can require these groups to report where the money is going.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS GovernorState SenateState House National Average $5,619$ $2,375 National Median $3,800$1,000 Highest Limit $50,000 (New York) $12,532 (Ohio) Lowest Limit$500 (Alaska)$170 (Montana) How much money can an individual in GA spend? Regular primary or general: $6,300/statewide candidate $2,500/legislative candidate Run-off: $3,700/statewide candidate $1,300/legislative candidate ***Limits last adjusted 12/2010

VOCABULARY Campaign Finance Reform Campaign Finance Reform PAC (Political Action Committee)- organizations that pool campaign contributions from its members to support or oppose candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. PAC (Political Action Committee)- organizations that pool campaign contributions from its members to support or oppose candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. Hard Money Hard Money Soft Money Soft Money

CAMPAIGN FINANCE Hard Money vs. Soft Money Hard Money vs. Soft Money Hard $- contributed directly to campaign and limited by FEC Hard $- contributed directly to campaign and limited by FEC Soft $- not contributed directly, not legally coordinated Soft $- not contributed directly, not legally coordinated Ex: advertising, independent expenditure (no communication with candidate, party, etc., but must report and disclose) Ex: advertising, independent expenditure (no communication with candidate, party, etc., but must report and disclose) Question: State and local party committees are permitted to use up to $10,000 of soft money for voter registration and on efforts aimed at increasing voter participation. How could a party use this to their advantage? Question: State and local party committees are permitted to use up to $10,000 of soft money for voter registration and on efforts aimed at increasing voter participation. How could a party use this to their advantage? Federal Election Commission Federal Election Commission Disclosure- more than $200/ election cycle Disclosure- more than $200/ election cycle