1. Political Parties

2. Campaign Financing

3. Objectives
I can analyze the issues raised by campaign financing and its impact on the American political system.

4. Campaign Spending Considerations
What office is involved?
Who is running?
Is the candidate an incumbent (currently holding office)?
Or the opposition
What is the availability of the campaign funds?

5. Sources of Funding
Private Contribution – major source of campaign funds in American politics
Small contributors (10% of voting age individuals)
Wealthy individuals and families
Candidates (spend their own money)
Various non party groups
Temporary organizations
Public Treasury - subsidies from the federal and some State treasuries

6. Regulation of Campaign Finance
In 1907 it became unlawful for any corporation or national bank to make “a money contribution in any election” to candidates for federal office.
Congress does not have the power to regulate campaign funding in the state and local elections.

7. Federal Election Commission
Administers all federal laws dealing with campaign finance
Strong words and a lot of details with little follow-through
Coverage areas
Require the timely disclosure of campaign finance date
No individual or group may make a contribution in the name of another
No cash gifts over $100
No gifts from foreign entities (or persons)
All gifts must be given through a single campaign committee for that candidate
Place limits on campaign contributions
No one person may give more than $2100 in primary election or federal general election
Total contributions to federal candidates and committees cannot exceed $101,400 in an election cycle
No corporation or labor union may contribute to any candidate running for federal office

8. FEC continued Place limits on campaign expenditures
If candidate take FEC funding they must accept spending limits as well
Provide public funding for several parts of the presidential election process
Money given by taxpayers through federal income tax voluntarily for
Preconvention campaigns
National conventions
Presidential election campaigns, if taken - then
Cannot spend more than the amount of the subsidy (amount given by FEC)
Cannot accept campaign funds from any other source

9. Hard Money vs. Soft Money
Hard Money – money raised and spent to elect candidates for Congress and the White House
Soft Money – funds given to party organizations for party building activities (which include candidate recruitment, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote drives)
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 prohibits soft-money contributions to political parties, but can be re-routed through independent supporting groups.

10. Campaign Finance Law

11. Political Parties

12. Objectives
I can identify and explain the role of political parties throughout American History.
I can evaluate the role of interest groups in influencing elections and public policy in America.

13. Crash Course

14. Words to Know
Political Party