1. Campaign Finance

2. How Much Do They Need? 1996 - $449 million 2000 - $650 million 2008 - $1.01 billion Total expenditures by all Democratic and Republican candidates in primaries/caucuses and general election.

3. Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Allowed restrictions on individual contributions to political candidates Candidates may use their own personal or family resources with no restrictions/limits

4. Contributions Only individuals may donate No corporation, bank, labor union donors Individuals limited to… – $2,300 per candidate/per election – $28,500 to any national party/per year – $10,000 to any state/local party per year – $5,000 to any PAC – Aggregate totals No soft money 527s currently unregulated (Moveon.com Swiftvets.com) Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

5. Individual Contributor Requirements Contributed from own funds Money not from corporation/labor union/national bank Not a federal government contractor Not a foreign national 16 years or older No cash contributions over $100 No anonymous contributions over $50