1. Campaign Finance

2. Corrupt Practices Act First passed in 1925First passed in 1925 Limits primary and general election contributionsLimits primary and general election contributions Requires disclosure of expensesRequires disclosure of expenses Too many loopholesToo many loopholes

3. Hatch Act Political Activities Act of 1939Political Activities Act of 1939 Limits civil servantsLimits civil servants Spending limits:Spending limits: – $3 mil per group –$5K per individual

4. Federal Election Campaign Act Replaced previous lawsReplaced previous laws –No overall spending limit –Media spending limited –Limited candidate contributions to own campaign Buckley v. ValeoBuckley v. Valeo

5. Further reforms Passed in 1974Passed in 1974 –Created FEC –Public Financing, with limit –Limited contributions –Required Disclosure PACsPACs –Created to allow Unions and Corporations to donate Can donate $5KCan donate $5K 50 donors & Contribute to 5 candidates50 donors & Contribute to 5 candidates Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 –Bans Unlimited Contributions to National Political Parties –State and local can receive $10K per IND –Raised IND contributions to $2K/$95K

6. Independent Expenditures 527 Groups527 Groups –Issue advocacy –No Limits (soft money) Citizens United v. FECCitizens United v. FEC –Money = speech: No limits on corporate contributions –SuperPACs