All flashcards
Flashcard 1: 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 2: Which case ruled aggregate limits on individual contributions unconstitutional?
Answer: McCutcheon v. FEC (2014). Removed overall contribution caps while keeping per-candidate limits.
Flashcard 3: 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 4: 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 5: Which organization would you contact for campaign finance violations?
Answer: Federal Election Commission (FEC). Enforces federal campaign finance laws and regulations.
Flashcard 6: 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 7: What is a 'matching funds' program?
Answer: Government matches small contributions for candidates. Encourages small-donor participation in campaigns.
Flashcard 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: In campaign finance, what is 'issue advocacy'?
Answer: Ads focusing on issues, not explicitly on candidates. Avoids explicit candidate endorsement to escape regulations.
Flashcard 13: 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 14: What is the threshold for PAC registration with the FEC?
Answer: 1,000 in contributions or expenditures. Triggers federal reporting and disclosure requirements.
Flashcard 15: 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 16: 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 17: 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 18: What does the term 'conduit contributions' refer to?
Answer: Funds passed through an intermediary, like a PAC. Facilitates donations while maintaining contribution limits.
Flashcard 19: 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 20: What are 'leadership PACs'?
Answer: PACs used by politicians to raise funds for others. Help politicians build influence and support networks.
Flashcard 21: 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 22: 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 23: What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) also known as?
Answer: McCain-Feingold Act. Named after its primary sponsors, McCain and Feingold.
Flashcard 24: Which amendment is often cited in campaign finance debates?
Answer: First Amendment (freedom of speech). Political expenditures considered protected speech.
Flashcard 25: What is an 'independent expenditure'?
Answer: Spending for ads supporting/against candidates, uncoordinated. Protected as free speech under Citizens United ruling.
Flashcard 26: Identify the legal basis for campaign finance regulations.
Answer: Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Established contribution limits and disclosure requirements in 1971.
Flashcard 27: What is 'soft money'?
Answer: Unregulated contributions to parties for general activities. Banned by McCain-Feingold Act in 2002.
Flashcard 28: Which Supreme Court case established 'money as speech'?
Answer: Buckley v. Valeo (1976). First Amendment protects political spending as free speech.
Flashcard 29: What does the term 'dark money' refer to?
Answer: Political spending by undisclosed donors. Often flows through 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.
Flashcard 30: 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.