AP Government and Politics Flashcards: Campaign Finance

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Campaign Finance, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What was the impact of Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

Answer: Allowed corporations/unions to spend unlimited funds on ads. Overturned Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Flashcard 2: What is the ruling of Davis v. FEC (2008) about 'Millionaire's Amendment'?

Answer: Struck down increased contribution limits for opponents. Violated First Amendment by restricting wealthy candidates' rights.

Flashcard 3: What is the legal definition of a 'political committee'?

Answer: Group raising/spending over $1,000 for federal elections. Includes PACs, party committees, and candidate committees.

Flashcard 4: What distinguishes a 527 organization in campaign finance?

Answer: Tax-exempt group influencing elections without advocating. Must disclose donors, unlike 501(c)(4) organizations.

Flashcard 5: What did the McCain-Feingold Act primarily target?

Answer: Banning soft money contributions to national parties. Also restricted electioneering communications near elections.

Flashcard 6: What are 'leadership PACs'?

Answer: PACs used by politicians to raise funds for others. Help politicians build influence and support networks.

Flashcard 7: What is the primary enforcement mechanism for campaign finance violations?

Answer: FEC audits, fines, and legal actions. Can impose civil penalties and refer criminal cases.

Flashcard 8: What does the term 'conduit contributions' refer to?

Answer: Funds passed through an intermediary, like a PAC. Facilitates donations while maintaining contribution limits.

Flashcard 9: What is an 'independent expenditure'?

Answer: Spending for ads supporting/against candidates, uncoordinated. Protected as free speech under Citizens United ruling.

Flashcard 10: What is the ruling of Davis v. FEC (2008) about 'Millionaire's Amendment'?

Answer: Struck down increased contribution limits for opponents. Violated First Amendment by restricting wealthy candidates' rights.

Flashcard 11: In campaign finance, what is 'issue advocacy'?

Answer: Ads focusing on issues, not explicitly on candidates. Avoids explicit candidate endorsement to escape regulations.

Flashcard 12: Define 'express advocacy' in the context of political ads.

Answer: Ads explicitly urging voters to support/oppose candidates. Uses magic words like 'vote for' or 'defeat.'

Flashcard 13: Identify the federal agency that enforces campaign finance laws.

Answer: Federal Election Commission (FEC). Independent agency created by FECA in 1975.

Flashcard 14: Which Supreme Court case established 'money as speech'?

Answer: Buckley v. Valeo (1976). First Amendment protects political spending as free speech.

Flashcard 15: What are 'leadership PACs'?

Answer: PACs used by politicians to raise funds for others. Help politicians build influence and support networks.

Flashcard 16: What does the term 'electioneering communication' mean?

Answer: Broadcast ads naming candidates close to elections. Restricted within 60 days of general or 30 days of primary.

Flashcard 17: Which Supreme Court case established 'money as speech'?

Answer: Buckley v. Valeo (1976). First Amendment protects political spending as free speech.

Flashcard 18: What is the significance of the Tillman Act of 1907?

Answer: First federal law prohibiting corporate contributions. Established precedent for restricting corporate political influence.

Flashcard 19: What is the role of state election commissions in campaign finance?

Answer: Oversee state/local campaign finance laws and violations. Parallel federal oversight but for state and local races.

Flashcard 20: Which amendment is often cited in campaign finance debates?

Answer: First Amendment (freedom of speech). Political expenditures considered protected speech.

Flashcard 21: What is a 'matching funds' program?

Answer: Government matches small contributions for candidates. Encourages small-donor participation in campaigns.

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of disclosure requirements in campaign finance?

Answer: To provide transparency about campaign funding sources. Allows voters to track money sources and potential conflicts.

Flashcard 23: In campaign finance, what is 'issue advocacy'?

Answer: Ads focusing on issues, not explicitly on candidates. Avoids explicit candidate endorsement to escape regulations.

Flashcard 24: Define 'hard money' in the context of campaign finance.

Answer: Regulated contributions directly to candidates. Subject to strict contribution limits and disclosure requirements.

Flashcard 25: What is the individual contribution limit to a national party committee?

Answer: $36,500$ as of 2023. Higher limit reflects parties' broader organizational role.

Flashcard 26: Define 'hard money' in the context of campaign finance.

Answer: Regulated contributions directly to candidates. Subject to strict contribution limits and disclosure requirements.

Flashcard 27: What is the threshold for PAC registration with the FEC?

Answer: $1,000$ in contributions or expenditures. Triggers federal reporting and disclosure requirements.

Flashcard 28: Identify the main goal of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007).

Answer: Increase transparency in lobbying and campaign finance. Enhanced disclosure rules for lobbying and political activities.

Flashcard 29: Which organization would you contact for campaign finance violations?

Answer: Federal Election Commission (FEC). Enforces federal campaign finance laws and regulations.

Flashcard 30: What is the role of 501(c)(4) organizations in elections?

Answer: They can engage in political activity without disclosing donors. Primary purpose must be social welfare, not politics.

Flashcard 31: What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) also known as?

Answer: McCain-Feingold Act. Named after its primary sponsors, McCain and Feingold.

Flashcard 32: Define 'express advocacy' in the context of political ads.

Answer: Ads explicitly urging voters to support/oppose candidates. Uses magic words like 'vote for' or 'defeat.'

Flashcard 33: What is the impact of Shelby County v. Holder (2013) on campaign finance?

Answer: Indirect; affected voting rights, not directly finance. Weakened voting rights protections, not campaign finance directly.

Flashcard 34: What does the term 'conduit contributions' refer to?

Answer: Funds passed through an intermediary, like a PAC. Facilitates donations while maintaining contribution limits.

Flashcard 35: Identify the legal basis for campaign finance regulations.

Answer: Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Established contribution limits and disclosure requirements in 1971.

Flashcard 36: What is the primary criticism against Super PACs?

Answer: They allow influence by wealthy donors with large sums. Creates potential for corruption and inequality in elections.

Flashcard 37: Define 'bundling' in campaign finance.

Answer: Collecting individual contributions to present as a group. Amplifies influence of wealthy donors and lobbyists.

Flashcard 38: Which type of organization must disclose their donors despite being tax-exempt?

Answer: 527 organizations. Political committees with tax-exempt status under IRC 527.

Flashcard 39: What is the primary purpose of campaign finance laws?

Answer: To regulate the funding of political campaigns. Ensures transparency and limits corruption in elections.

Flashcard 40: What is 'soft money'?

Answer: Unregulated contributions to parties for general activities. Banned by McCain-Feingold Act in 2002.

Flashcard 41: What is the legal definition of a 'political committee'?

Answer: Group raising/spending over $1,000 for federal elections. Includes PACs, party committees, and candidate committees.

Flashcard 42: What is the purpose of disclosure requirements in campaign finance?

Answer: To provide transparency about campaign funding sources. Allows voters to track money sources and potential conflicts.

Flashcard 43: What is the role of state election commissions in campaign finance?

Answer: Oversee state/local campaign finance laws and violations. Parallel federal oversight but for state and local races.

Flashcard 44: Which case ruled aggregate limits on individual contributions unconstitutional?

Answer: McCutcheon v. FEC (2014). Removed overall contribution caps while keeping per-candidate limits.

Flashcard 45: What is the primary criticism against Super PACs?

Answer: They allow influence by wealthy donors with large sums. Creates potential for corruption and inequality in elections.

Flashcard 46: What does the term 'dark money' refer to?

Answer: Political spending by undisclosed donors. Often flows through 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.

Flashcard 47: Identify the main goal of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007).

Answer: Increase transparency in lobbying and campaign finance. Enhanced disclosure rules for lobbying and political activities.

Flashcard 48: Which case ruled aggregate limits on individual contributions unconstitutional?

Answer: McCutcheon v. FEC (2014). Removed overall contribution caps while keeping per-candidate limits.

Flashcard 49: Describe the difference between a PAC and a Super PAC.

Answer: Super PACs can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate. Cannot coordinate with candidates but can spend unlimited amounts.

Flashcard 50: Identify the spending limit for coordinated party expenditures.

Answer: Varies by state and office; set by FEC annually. Adjusted for inflation and population changes.

Flashcard 51: Which type of organization must disclose their donors despite being tax-exempt?

Answer: 527 organizations. Political committees with tax-exempt status under IRC 527.

Flashcard 52: What is the threshold for PAC registration with the FEC?

Answer: $1,000$ in contributions or expenditures. Triggers federal reporting and disclosure requirements.

Flashcard 53: Which amendment is often cited in campaign finance debates?

Answer: First Amendment (freedom of speech). Political expenditures considered protected speech.

Flashcard 54: What is the maximum individual contribution to a federal candidate per election?

Answer: $2,900$ as of 2023. Per election means both primary and general elections count separately.

Flashcard 55: What does the term 'dark money' refer to?

Answer: Political spending by undisclosed donors. Often flows through 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.

Flashcard 56: What is the purpose of a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Answer: To raise and spend money to elect/defeat candidates. Traditional PACs have $5,000 contribution limits.

Flashcard 57: What is the maximum individual contribution to a federal candidate per election?

Answer: $2,900$ as of 2023. Per election means both primary and general elections count separately.

Flashcard 58: Identify the federal agency that enforces campaign finance laws.

Answer: Federal Election Commission (FEC). Independent agency created by FECA in 1975.