Campaign Finance

Which was a result of the Federal Elections Campaign Act?

• Limited individual and PAC donations
• Banned soft money
• Limited candidates to only public funding
• led to rise of SuperPACs

Which is true about PACs?

• They can spend unlimited money on campaigns
• They do not have to disclose donors
• They are limited in the amount they can contribute
• They are regulated by the IRS not FEC

Which is NOT true about the public fund created by the FECA?

• Most candidates accept public funds
• Limits how much a candidate can personally contribute
• Limits total amount can be spent on campaign
• Can be used in presidenitial primaries or general elections

Buckley v. Valeo struck down what part of the FECA?

• limits on campaign contibutions
• limits on how much candidate can spend of own money
• required disclosure of donors
• creation of the FEC

What precedent was established in Buckley v. Valeo?

• Donations to campaigns are protected by 1st amendment
• Campaign spending can be unlimited
• PACs can use dark money
• Corporations are people

Which is true about express advocacy?

• stops short of promoting one candidates
• States I am X and I approve this message
• Tells you to vote for or against a candidate
• Promotes an issue not a candidate

What are independent expenditures?

• Money donated directly to candidates
• Personal money spent by a candidate
• Money from anonymous donors
• Money spent but not coordinating with candidate

Which is true about the effect of the Buckley v. Valeo ruling?

• Led to rise of SuperPACs
• Led to increase use of soft money
• Ended express advocacy ads
• Led to decrease in campaign spending

Which is NOT true of the BCRA / McCain-Feingold Act?

• banned soft money
• banned issue ads 30 days before primaries
• decreased individual contributions
• Created Stand by your Ad rules

527 groups...

• are regulated by IRS and not FEC
• do not have to disclose donors
• are social welfare groups
• must follow campaign contribution limits