All Flashcards
Differences between Hard Money and Soft Money?
Hard Money: Direct to candidate, regulated by FECA. | Soft Money: To parties/groups, not regulated by FECA.
Differences between PACs and Super PACs?
PACs: Limited contributions, direct donations. | Super PACs: Unlimited contributions, independent expenditures only.
What is 'campaign finance'?
The role of money in elections and its intersection with free speech rights.
What is 'hard money'?
Funds given directly to a candidate, regulated by FECA.
What is 'soft money'?
Donations to political parties or interest groups, not regulated by FECA.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
What is a Super PAC?
A type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
What is 'electioneering communication'?
Political ads that refer to a clearly identified candidate within a certain period before an election.
What is the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?
An independent regulatory agency whose purpose is to enforce campaign finance law in United States federal elections.
What are independent expenditures?
Money spent to support or oppose political candidates without direct coordination with their campaigns.
What is disclosure in campaign finance?
The requirement to report donors and amounts contributed to political campaigns and organizations.
What is meant by 'money as speech'?
The concept, established in Buckley v. Valeo, that spending money on political campaigns is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment.
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