The Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for 2023-2024. The new “per election” limits are effective for the 2023-2024 election cycle (November 9, 2022 – November 5, 2024), and the calendar year limits are effective January 1, 2023. The new limits represent the largest election cycle increase since the
Continue Reading Inflation Hits the FEC: Contribution Limits for 2023-2024 Raised in the Largest Periodic Increase EverCampaign Finance
When is a Treasurer Personally Liable for PAC Violations?
The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) recently answered a common question for those involved in operating a federal PAC: When is the treasurer personally liable for violations of the rules on recordkeeping and reporting? In doing so, the FEC highlighted the importance of external oversight of PAC operations, and the value…
Continue Reading When is a Treasurer Personally Liable for PAC Violations?California Raises Campaign Contribution and Gift Limits for 2023-2024
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted on Thursday higher political contribution limits and public officer gift limits for the 2023-2024 political cycle. The new limits take effect on January 1, 2023.
Contribution Limits
Under the new limits, an individual, business entity, or committee/PAC can contribute $5,500 per election…
Continue Reading California Raises Campaign Contribution and Gift Limits for 2023-2024Picking Battles: The FEC and the Constitution
Perhaps no citation has been more favored in Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) decisions over the past decade than Heckler v. Chaney, 470 U.S. 821 (1985), a Supreme Court decision that gives an agency broad discretion over which enforcement cases to pursue. But there is a category of cases where…
Continue Reading Picking Battles: The FEC and the ConstitutionFEC Commissioners Issue New Guidance on Donor Disclosure for Groups Paying for Political Advertisements
Trade associations, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, other outside groups that pay for political advertisements, and their donors now have more answers to long-running questions regarding when donations to these groups are publicly reportable. After postponing consideration of the issue during its previous meeting, the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) approved Wednesday…
Continue Reading FEC Commissioners Issue New Guidance on Donor Disclosure for Groups Paying for Political AdvertisementsThe Supreme Court Strikes Down Restrictions on Repayment of Candidate Loans. What Next?
As we previewed in the fall, the Supreme Court today struck down the longstanding statutory prohibition on the use of funds raised after Election Day to repay a candidate loan in Federal Election Commission v. Cruz. Although the outcome of the case—which was brought by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)…
Continue Reading The Supreme Court Strikes Down Restrictions on Repayment of Candidate Loans. What Next?New California Rules Target Amplification of Online Advertising
In the digital age, it has become common to accuse opponents of propping up their online presence through paying influencers, buying followers or likes, or of being supported by bots. A California law new this year is looking to shed light on at least some of that activity.
The California…
Continue Reading New California Rules Target Amplification of Online Advertising
Covington Releases 50-State Survey of Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Gift Rules (2022 Edition)
Corporations, trade associations, non-profits, other organizations, and individuals face significant penalties and reputational harm if they violate state laws governing corporate and personal political activities, the registration of lobbyists, lobbying reporting, or the giving of gifts or items of value to government officials or employees. To help organizations and individuals …
Considering the Broader Implications of Cruz v. FEC
Late last week, the Supreme Court indicated that it intends to review a challenge by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to federal limits on the use of post-election contributions to repay pre-election loans that candidates make to their own campaigns. This follows an earlier three-judge district court decision that struck down…
Continue Reading Considering the Broader Implications of Cruz v. FEC
Use of FEC Data – The Vice Chair Says the FEC Has Taken “A Wrong Turn”
There are few things as seductive in politics today as good data, and few things as challenging for commercial firms as the statutory bar on the use of FEC data for commercial purposes. That came to a head yesterday, when the FEC was unable to reach a decision on an advisory opinion request on use of the FEC’s donor data to, among other things, confirm the identity and score potential donors in a client’s existing database. The case highlights the gap between the regulated community and where a majority of FEC Commissioners may soon take the law.
Continue Reading Use of FEC Data – The Vice Chair Says the FEC Has Taken “A Wrong Turn”