1. Campaign Finance The connection between money and the elections

2.  2003-04 Pres. election cycle: $880.5 million raised $717.9 million spent  2007-08 Pres. election cycle: $1,748.8 million raised $1,324.7 million spent http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.php?cycle=2 008&type=SF  2003-04 Pres. election cycle: $880.5 million raised $717.9 million spent  2007-08 Pres. election cycle: $1,748.8 million raised $1,324.7 million spent http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.php?cycle=2 008&type=SF

3. 2011-12 Presidential Election Cycle  http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/i ndex.php http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/i ndex.php  Open Secrets - US research group  Tracks money in politics  Non-partisan  Non-profit 2011-12 Presidential Election Cycle  http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/i ndex.php http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/i ndex.php  Open Secrets - US research group  Tracks money in politics  Non-partisan  Non-profit

4. History of Campaign Finance Regulation  Corrupt Practices Acts  Hatch Act 1939  FECA 1971  Corrupt Practices Acts  Hatch Act 1939  FECA 1971

5.  FECA 1971 – reduce the importance of $ on elections – limit big donations  No limit on spending  Restricted spending on mass media  Restricted spending own money  Ruled unconstitutional  Disclosure of all contributions over $100  Income tax return donations to Fed Funds  FECA 1971 – reduce the importance of $ on elections – limit big donations  No limit on spending  Restricted spending on mass media  Restricted spending own money  Ruled unconstitutional  Disclosure of all contributions over $100  Income tax return donations to Fed Funds

6.  Federal Election Commission - 1974  Public Financing  Contribution limits  Disclosures  Soft Money  Federal Election Commission - 1974  Public Financing  Contribution limits  Disclosures  Soft Money Amendments to FECA

7.  Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act 2002  McCain Feingold Act  Regulate Soft Money  Contribution limits 2013-14: http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/c ontriblimits.shtml http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/c ontriblimits.shtml  Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act 2002  McCain Feingold Act  Regulate Soft Money  Contribution limits 2013-14: http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/c ontriblimits.shtml http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/c ontriblimits.shtml

8. Hard Money v. Soft Money  Hard money  Express advocacy in federal elections  Individuals, PAC’s pol parties, corporations etc.  All $ disclosed to FEC  Hard money  Express advocacy in federal elections  Individuals, PAC’s pol parties, corporations etc.  All $ disclosed to FEC

9.  Soft Money  Not used in federal elections (state/local)  NOT used for express advocacy  Unions and corporations may use express advocacy to restricted classes  >$2000 disclosed to FEC  Used for public issue communications - independent of candidates  Soft Money  Not used in federal elections (state/local)  NOT used for express advocacy  Unions and corporations may use express advocacy to restricted classes  >$2000 disclosed to FEC  Used for public issue communications - independent of candidates

10. Political Action Committees - PAC’s Top Twenty PAC’s http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/toppacs.php Top Twenty PAC’s http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/toppacs.php

11. Difference Between PAC’s & Super PAC’s  http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2 012/01/13/10150439-stephen-colbert- explains-difference-between-pacs- and-super-pacs http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2 012/01/13/10150439-stephen-colbert- explains-difference-between-pacs- and-super-pacs  http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacf aq.php http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacf aq.php  http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/sup erpacs.php?cycle=2014 http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/sup erpacs.php?cycle=2014  http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2 012/01/13/10150439-stephen-colbert- explains-difference-between-pacs- and-super-pacs http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2 012/01/13/10150439-stephen-colbert- explains-difference-between-pacs- and-super-pacs  http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacf aq.php http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacf aq.php  http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/sup erpacs.php?cycle=2014 http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/sup erpacs.php?cycle=2014

12. 527’s BCFRA LOOPHOLE 2008 / 2012 Issue Advocacy: act of making generalized communication regarding a public issue w/o advocating voters to take a specific action. Express Advocacy: act of making specific communication regarding a public issue advocating voters to take a specific action.  regulated by the FEC http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/index.php 527’s BCFRA LOOPHOLE 2008 / 2012 Issue Advocacy: act of making generalized communication regarding a public issue w/o advocating voters to take a specific action. Express Advocacy: act of making specific communication regarding a public issue advocating voters to take a specific action.  regulated by the FEC http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/index.php

13. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission http://www.c- spanclassroom.org/Video/835/Citizens+ United+v+Federal+Election+Commission +Reactions.aspx http://www.c- spanclassroom.org/Video/835/Citizens+ United+v+Federal+Election+Commission +Reactions.aspx