Nonelective Contributions: A Guide for Candidates and Political Committees

Introduction

Nonelective contributions are a type of political donation that is not made in direct support of a specific candidate or political party. Instead, these contributions are made to organizations that support or oppose political causes or issues.

Types of Nonelective Contributions

There are two main types of nonelective contributions:

• Independent expenditures: These are contributions that are made directly to an organization that is engaged in political activity, such as a Super PAC or a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.
• Soft money: These are contributions that are made to political parties, which can then use the funds for a variety of purposes, including voter registration, get-out-the-vote efforts, and general party-building activities.

Limits on Nonelective Contributions

The amount of money that individuals and organizations can contribute to nonelective efforts is limited by law. For individuals, the contribution limit is $5,000 per election cycle. For organizations, the contribution limit is $10,000 per election cycle.

Reporting Requirements

Organizations that receive nonelective contributions are required to report those contributions to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The FEC is the independent regulatory agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws.

The Role of Nonelective Contributions in Political Campaigns

Nonelective contributions play a significant role in political campaigns. These contributions provide organizations with the resources they need to support or oppose candidates and political parties.

The Pros and Cons of Nonelective Contributions

There are both pros and cons to the use of nonelective contributions in political campaigns.

Pros

• Nonelective contributions allow individuals and organizations to support or oppose political causes and issues without having to make direct contributions to candidates or political parties.
• Nonelective contributions can help to level the playing field between candidates and political parties by providing financial resources to organizations that might not otherwise have access to such funds.
• Nonelective contributions can help to promote civic engagement by encouraging individuals and organizations to become involved in the political process.

Cons

• Nonelective contributions can lead to increased spending in political campaigns, which can make it more difficult for candidates to run for office without the support of wealthy donors.
• Nonelective contributions can give undue influence to organizations that receive large amounts of money from a small number of donors.
• Nonelective contributions can make it more difficult for voters to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, as these officials may be beholden to the organizations that provided them with financial support.

Conclusion

Nonelective contributions are a complex and controversial part of the political landscape. These contributions can play a significant role in political campaigns, but they also have the potential for abuse.

Additional Resources

• Federal Election Commission
• Center for Responsive Politics
• Brennan Center for Justice

Frequently Asked Questions About Nonelective Contributions

Q: What is the difference between an independent expenditure and a soft money contribution?

A: Independent expenditures are contributions that are made directly to an organization that is engaged in political activity, such as a Super PAC or a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Soft money contributions are contributions that are made to political parties, which can then use the funds for a variety of purposes, including voter registration, get-out-the-vote efforts, and general party-building activities.

Q: Are there any limits on the amount of money that individuals and organizations can contribute to nonelective efforts?

A: Yes, there are limits on the amount of money that individuals and organizations can contribute to nonelective efforts. For individuals, the contribution limit is $5,000 per election cycle. For organizations, the contribution limit is $10,000 per election cycle.

Q: Are organizations that receive nonelective contributions required to report those contributions to the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

A: Yes, organizations that receive nonelective contributions are required to report those contributions to the FEC. The FEC is the independent regulatory agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws.

Q: What are the pros and cons of nonelective contributions?

A: There are both pros and cons to the use of nonelective contributions in political campaigns.

Pros

• Nonelective contributions allow individuals and organizations to support or oppose political causes and issues without having to make direct contributions to candidates or political parties.
• Nonelective contributions can help to level the playing field between candidates and political parties by providing financial resources to organizations that might not otherwise have access to such funds.
• Nonelective contributions can help to promote civic engagement by encouraging individuals and organizations to become involved in the political process.

Cons

• Nonelective contributions can lead to increased spending in political campaigns, which can make it more difficult for candidates to run for office without the support of wealthy donors.
• Nonelective contributions can give undue influence to organizations that receive large amounts of money from a small number of donors.
• Nonelective contributions can make it more difficult for voters to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, as these officials may be beholden to the organizations that provided them with financial support.