www.fec.gov Open in urlscan Pro
143.204.98.29  Public Scan

URL: https://www.fec.gov/
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/data/elections

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GET

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GET

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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
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PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROCESS

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FEC-related COVID-19 information: Offices remain closed to visitors
Get the latest information on FEC operations »   |   Workplace safety plan »


 * SEARCH ALL CAMPAIGN FINANCE DATA
   
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   Help for individuals and groups who are active in federal elections.


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   Explore relevant statutes, regulations, Commission actions and court cases.


NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 * Press release
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   Week of November 22-26, 2021


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COMPARE CANDIDATES IN AN ELECTION

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WHO IS RAISING AND SPENDING THE MOST

Learn how much individual candidates have raised and spent for presidential,
Senate and House elections.

Candidate
Total raised

WARNOCK, RAPHAEL [DEM]
$44,222,982.00

SCOTT, TIMOTHY E. [REP]
$31,017,755.83

SCHUMER, CHARLES E. [DEM]
$29,728,894.46

 * Browse top raising candidates

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candidates
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Running in 2026 2024 2022 2020 2018 2016 2014 2012 2010 2008 2006 2004 2002 2000
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COMMISSIONERS

Shana M. Broussard
Chair
Democrat

Allen Dickerson
Vice Chair
Republican

Sean J. Cooksey
Republican

James E. "Trey" Trainor III
Republican

Steven T. Walther
Independent

Ellen L. Weintraub
Democrat

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GLOSSARY

Search terms Examples: receipt; Hybrid PAC
 * Act
   The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C.
   §§30101-30146). 11 CFR 100.18. Prior to September 1, 2014, the Act appeared
   in Title 2 of the U.S. Code. Sometimes abbreviated FECA.
 * Administrative expense
   For party committees, rent, utilities, office equipment, office supplies,
   routine building maintenance and other operating costs not attributable to a
   specific candidate.
 * Administrative termination
   Administrative termination is the action taken by the Commission to terminate
   the reporting obligations of political committees that appear to be inactive
   in accordance with 52 U.S.C. 30103(d)(2) and 11 CFR 102.4. Administrative
   termination does not relieve a committee of any legal responsibility for the
   payment of any outstanding debt or obligations.
 * Advance
   The payment by an individual from his or her personal funds, including a
   personal credit card, for the costs incurred in providing goods or services
   to, or obtaining goods or services that are used by or on behalf of, a
   candidate or a political committee. See 11 CFR 116.5.
 * Advisory opinion (AO)
   A formal response from the Commission regarding the legality of a specific
   activity proposed in an advisory opinion request (AOR). 11 CFR Part 112.
 * Affiliated committees
   Committees and organizations that are considered one committee for purposes
   of the contribution limits. 11 CFR 110.3(a)(1). Affiliated committees include
   (1) All committees established or authorized by a candidate as part of his or
   her campaign for federal or nonfederal office; and (2) All committees
   established, financed, maintained or controlled by the same person, group or
   organization. 11 CFR 100.5(g)(1) and (2); 11 CFR 110.3(a)(1).
 * Agent (of a candidate)
   An agent of a federal candidate or officeholder is any person who has actual
   authority, either express or implied, to engage in any of the following
   activities on behalf of the candidate or officeholder:
    * To solicit, receive, direct, transfer or spend funds in connection with
      any election.
    * To request or suggest that a communication be created, produced or
      distributed;
    * To make or authorize a communication that meets one or more of the
      “content standards” for coordination;
    * To request or suggest that any other person create, produce, or distribute
      any communication;
    * To be materially involved in decisions regarding the content, intended
      audience, means, media outlet, timing, frequency, size, prominence or
      duration of a communication;
    * To provide material or information to assist another person in the
      creation, production or distribution of any communication; or
    * To make or direct a communication that is created, produced or distributed
      with the use of material or information derived from a substantial
      discussion about the communication with a different candidate;
   
   11 CFR 109.3(b) and 300.2(b)(3).
 * Agent (of a party)
   An agent is any person who has actual authority, either expressed or implied,
   to engage in certain activities on behalf of the committee. In the case of
   state, district and local party committees, these activities are:
    * Expending or disbursing any funds for federal election activity;
    * Transferring or accepting transfers of funds for federal election
      activity;
    * Engaging in joint fundraising activity if any part of the funds are to be
      used for federal election activity; or
    * Soliciting any funds for, or making or directing any donations to, any
      tax-exempt 501(c) organization or 527 organization that is not also a
      political committee, a party committee or an authorized campaign
      committee.
   
   11 CFR 300.2(b)(2).
   
   In the case of the national party committees, these activities are:
    * Soliciting, directing or receiving a contribution, donation or transfer of
      funds; or
    * Soliciting any funds for, or making or directing donations to, any
      tax-exempt 501(c) organization or 527 organization that is not also a
      political committee, a party committee or an authorized campaign
      committee.
   
   11 CFR 300.2(b)(1).
   
   In the case of communications, for all party committees, the activities
   include:
    * Requesting or suggesting that a communication be created, produced or
      distributed;
    * Creating, producing or distributing any communication at the request of a
      candidate; or
    * Being materially involved in the content or distribution of a
      communication.
   
   11 CFR 109.3(a).
 * Allocation account
   A separate federal account into which funds from either a committee’s federal
   and nonfederal accounts, or (for party committees) from its federal and Levin
   accounts, are deposited solely to pay expenses that must be allocated. (A
   party committee must have separate allocation accounts for its
   federal/nonfederal allocation and for its federal/Levin allocation). 11 CFR
   106.7(f) and 300.33(d).
 * Authorized committee
   A political committee that has been authorized by a candidate to accept
   contributions or make expenditures on his or her behalf, or one that accepts
   contributions or makes expenditures on behalf of a candidate and has not been
   disavowed by the candidate.
 * Bundled contribution
   A contribution forwarded to a reporting committee by a lobbyist/registrant or
   lobbyist/registrant PAC, or received by a reporting committee and credited to
   a lobbyist/registrant or lobbyist/registrant PAC. See 11 CFR 104.22(a)(6).
 * Campaign traveler
   Any candidate traveling in connection with an election for federal office, or
   any individual traveling in connection with an election for federal office on
   behalf of a candidate or political committee; or any member of the news media
   traveling with a candidate. 11 CFR 100.93(a)(3)(i).
 * Candidate
   An individual seeking nomination for election, or reelection, to a federal
   office becomes a candidate when he or she (or persons working on his or her
   behalf) receives contributions or makes expenditures that exceed $5,000.
 * Candidate ID
   A unique identifier assigned to each candidate registered with the FEC. The
   initial character indicates the office sought. (H)ouse, (S)enate,
   (P)resident. If a person runs for several offices, they will have separate
   IDs for each office.
 * Cash on hand
   Cash on hand includes funds held in checking and savings accounts,
   certificates of deposit, petty cash funds, traveler’s checks, treasury bills
   and other investments valued at cost. 11 CFR 104.3(a)(1).
 * CFR
   Code of Federal Regulations. The annual collection of executive-agency
   regulations published in the daily Federal Register, combined with previously
   issued regulations that are still in effect. The sections of the CFR
   containing federal campaign finance regulations may be found in Title 11 and
   are available on the FEC’s website or as a free publication from the FEC.
 * Clearly identified candidate
   A candidate is clearly identified when his or her name, nickname, photograph
   or drawing appears, or when his or her identity is otherwise apparent through
   an unambiguous reference such as “the President,” “your Congressman,” or “the
   incumbent,” or through an unambiguous reference to his or her status as a
   candidate such as “the Democratic presidential nominee” or “the Republican
   candidate for Senate in the State of Georgia.” 11 CFR 100.17.
 * Collecting agent
   A collecting agent is an organization or committee that collects and
   transmits contributions to one or more separate segregated funds to which the
   collecting agent is related. A collecting agent may be either:
    * A committee, whether or not it is a political committee as defined in 11
      CFR 100.5, affiliated with the separated segregated fund under 11 CFR
      110.3.
    * The connected organization of the separated segregated fund as defined in
      11 CFR 100.6. A parent, subsidiary, branch, division, department, or local
      unit of the connected organization of the separate segregated fund.
    * A local national or international union collecting contributions on behalf
      of the separate segregated fund of any federation with which the local,
      national or international union is affiliated.
   
   See 11 CFR 114.1(e) and 102.6(b)(1).
 * Commercial vendor
   Any person providing goods or services to a candidate or political committee
   whose usual and normal business involves the sale, rental, lease or provision
   of those goods or services. 11 CFR 116.1(c).
 * Committee type
   A definition that categorizes groups organized to receive and spend money in
   federal elections. The basic committee types are authorized committees,
   political party committees, separate segregated funds (SSFs) and nonconnected
   committees.
 * Communications costs
   Costs that a corporation, labor organization, trade association or
   incorporated membership organization pays for express advocacy communications
   that are directed to the restricted class, once the payments exceed $2,000
   for any election (primary or general). The payments are not considered
   contributions but instead are reported as "Communication Costs on Form 7."
   See 11 CFR 104.6(a).
 * Communications filers
   Form 5, Form 7 and Form 9 filers, whose activity includes:
    * Contributions reported by persons other than political committees
    * Independent expenditures reported by persons other than political
      committees
    * Communication costs reported by corporations and membership organizations
    * Electioneering communications

 * Conduit or intermediary
   Any person who receives and forwards an earmarked contribution to a candidate
   or a candidate’s authorized committee. 11 CFR 110.6(b)(2).
 * Connected organization
   An organization that uses its treasury funds to establish, administer or
   solicit contributions to a separate segregated fund. 11 CFR 100.6(a).
 * Contribution
   A gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value
   given to influence a federal election; or the payment by any person of
   compensation for the personal services of another person if those services
   are rendered without charge to a political committee for any purpose. 11 CFR
   100.52(a) and 100.54.
 * Contribution in the name of another
   Giving money or anything of value, all or part of which was provided to the
   contributor by another person (the true contributor) without disclosing the
   source of the money or the thing of value to the recipient candidate or
   committee at the time the contribution is made; or making a contribution of
   money or anything of value and attributing as the source another person when
   in fact the contributor is the source. 11 CFR 110.4(b).
 * Cooperative
   A cooperative is a voluntary economic association organized to provide
   economic services, without gain, to itself, and to the members who own and
   control it. A federated cooperative as defined in the Agricultural Marketing
   Act of 1929, 12 U.S.C. 1141j, or a rural cooperative eligible for assistance
   under chapter 31 or title 7 of the United States Code, may solicit the
   members of the cooperative's regional, state or local affiliates, provided
   that all of the political committees established, financed, maintained or
   controlled by the cooperative and its regional, state or local affiliates are
   considered one political committee for the purposes of the limitations in 11
   CFR 110.1 and 110.2.
 * Coordinated
   Made in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the request or
   suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate’s authorized committee or their
   agents, or a political party committee or its agents. 11 CFR 109.20(a).
 * Coordinated communication
   A communication that satisfies a three-pronged test:
    1. The communication must be paid for by a person other than a federal
       candidate, authorized committee, or a political party committee, or any
       agents of the aforementioned entities with whom the communication is
       coordinated.
    2. One or more of the five content standards set forth in 11 CFR 109.21(c)
       must be satisfied; and
    3. One or more of the five conduct standards set forth in 11 CFR 109.21(d)
       must be satisfied.
   
   A payment for a communication satisfying all three prongs is an in-kind
   contribution to the candidate or political party committee with which it was
   coordinated. 11 CFR 109.21.
 * Coordinated party expenditure
   A special type of expenditure that can be made only by a national or state
   political party committee in connection with the general election of a
   candidate. These expenditures are subject to a separate set of limits and do
   not count against the party’s normal contribution limits with respect to each
   candidate. 11 CFR 109.30 and 109.32-37.
 * Corporation
   Any separately incorporated entity (other than a political committee that has
   incorporated for liability purposes only). 11 CFR 100.134(l) and 114.12(a).
   The term corporation covers both for-profit and nonprofit corporations and
   includes nonstock corporations, incorporated membership organizations,
   incorporated cooperatives, incorporated trade associations, professional
   corporations and, under certain circumstances, limited liability companies.
 * Custodian of Records
   The individual or entity holding possession of a political committee’s books
   and accounts.The Custodian of Records is listed on the committee’s Statement
   of Organization. 11 CFR 102.2(a)(1)(iii).
 * Date made
   The date the contributor relinquishes control over a contribution. A
   contribution that is mailed is considered made on the date of the postmark.
   In the case of an in-kind contribution, a contribution is made on the date
   the goods or services are provided by the contributor. This date determines
   the election or calendar year limit against which a contribution counts. 11
   CFR 110.1(b)(6).
 * Date of ineligibility
   The candidate’s date of ineligibility shall be whichever date by operation of
   the following occurs first:
    * The day on which an individual ceases to be a candidate because he or she
      is not actively conducting campaigns in more than one State in connection
      with seeking the presidential nomination;
    * The 30th day following the date of the second consecutive primary election
      in which such individual receives less than 10 percent of the number of
      popular votes cast for all candidates of the same party for the same
      office in that primary election, if the candidate permitted or authorized
      his or her name to appear on the ballot, unless the candidate certifies to
      the Commission at least 25 business days prior to the primary that he or
      she will not be an active candidate in the primary involved; or
    * The last day of the matching payment period.
   
   See 11 CFR 9033.5.
 * Date received
   The date a committee (or a person acting on the committee’s behalf) takes
   possession of the contribution. 11 CFR 102.8(a). This date is used for FEC
   reporting.
 * Debt
   Debts include unpaid bills. FEC reports show the amount of reportable debt a
   committee owes to other entities at the end of the filing period.
 * Delegate
   An individual who is or seeks to become a delegate to a national nominating
   convention or to a state, district or local convention, caucus or primary
   held to select delegates to a national nominating convention. 11 CFR
   110.14(b)(1).
 * Delegate committee
   A group organized for the purpose of influencing the selection of one or more
   delegates. The term includes a group of delegates, a group of individuals
   seeking to become delegates and a group of individuals supporting delegates.
   11 CFR 110.14(b)(2).
 * Designated/designation
   A contribution is considered to be designated in writing for a particular
   election if
    * The contribution is made by check, money order, or other negotiable
      instrument which clearly indicates the particular election with respect to
      which the contribution is made;
    * The contribution is accompanied by a writing, signed by the contributor,
      which clearly indicates the particular election with respect to which the
      contribution is made; or
      The contribution is redesignated in accordance with
      11 CFR 110.1(b)(5)
      .
   
   11 CFR 110.1(b)(4).
 * Direct mail
   Any mailings made by a commercial vendor or made from a commercial list. 11
   CFR 100.87(a), 100.89(a), 100.147(a) and 100.149(a)
 * Disbursement
   Any purchase or payment made by a political committee or any other person
   that is subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act. 11 CFR 300.2(d).
 * Disclaimer notice
   A “disclaimer” notice is a statement that identifies the person(s) who paid
   for a communication and whether the communication was authorized by one or
   more candidates. 11 CFR 110.11.
 * Disclosure date
   The disclsoure date is
    * the first date on which an electioneering communication is publicly
      distributed provided that the person making the electioneering
      communication has made one or more disbursements, or has executed one or
      more contracts to make disbursements, for the direct costs of producing or
      airing one or more electioneering communications aggregating in excess of
      $10,000; or
    * Any other date during the same calendar year on which an electioneering
      communication is publicly distributed provided that the person making the
      electioneering communication has made one or more disbursements, or has
      executed one or more contracts to make disbursements, for the direct costs
      of producing or airing one or more electioneering communications
      aggregating in excess of $10,000 since the most recent disclosure date
      during such calendar year.
   
   11 CFR 104.20(a)(1).
 * District
   A U.S. House of Representatives District. Because Senators represent an
   entire state, Senate races do not have districts associated with them.
 * Donation
   A payment, gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit or anything of value
   given to a person but does not include contributions.11 CFR 300.2(e).
 * Earmarked contribution
   A contribution that the contributor directs (either orally or in writing) to
   or on behalf of a clearly identified candidate or authorized committee
   through an intermediary or conduit. Earmarking may take the form of a
   designation, instruction or encumbrance, and it may be direct or indirect,
   express or implied. 11 CFR 110.6.
 * Election
   Any one of several processes by which an individual seeks nomination for
   election, or election, to federal office. They include: a primary election,
   including a caucus or convention that has authority to select a nominee; a
   general election; a runoff election; and a special election held to fill a
   vacant seat. 11 CFR 100.2.
 * Election cycle
   The period beginning the day after the previous general election for a given
   federal office and ending on the date of the general election for that
   office. The number of years in an election cycle differs according to the
   federal office sought. The election cycle spans two years for House
   candidates; four years for presidential candidates; and six years for Senate
   candidates. See 11 CFR 100.3(b).
 * Electioneering communication
   Any broadcast, cable or satellite communication that (1) refers to a clearly
   identified candidate for federal office; (2) is publicly distributed within
   certain time periods before an election and (3) is targeted to the relevant
   electorate. 11 CFR 100.29.
 * Employer
   The organization or person by whom an individual is employed, and not the
   name of his or her supervisor. 11 CFR 100.21.
 * Ending cash on hand
   The total amount of cash on hand that remains after the amount of cash on
   hand at the beginning of the reporting period is adjusted to add the total
   receipts for the reporting period and subtract the total disbursements for
   the reporting period.
 * Executive and administrative personnel
   Individuals employed by a corporation or labor organization who are paid on a
   salary rather than hourly basis and who have policymaking, managerial,
   professional, or supervisory responsibilities. The definition does not
   include professionals who are represented by a labor organization, salaried
   foremen and lower-level supervisors having direct supervision over hourly
   employees, former or retired personnel who are not stockholders, and
   consultants who are not employees under the Internal Revenue Code. 11 CFR
   114.1(c), 26 CFR 31.3401(c)-1.
 * Exempt party activities
   Certain candidate support activities that state and local party groups may
   undertake without making a contribution or expenditure, provided specific
   rules are followed.
 * Expenditure
   A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or
   anything of value made for the purpose of influencing a federal election. A
   written agreement to make an expenditure is also considered an expenditure.
   11 CFR 100.111 and 100.112.
 * Expenditure report period
   In the case of a major party, the expenditure report period begins on
   September 1 before the election or on the date on which the major party’s
   presidential nominee is chosen, whichever is earlier; and the period ends 30
   days after the presidential election. In the case of a minor or new party,
   the period will be the same as that of the major party with the shortest
   expenditure report period. See 11 CFR 9002.12.
 * Express advocacy
   Unambiguously advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified
   federal candidate. There are two ways that a communication can be defined as
   express advocacy (candidate advocacy): by use of certain “explicit words of
   advocacy of election or defeat” and by the “only reasonable interpretation”
   test. See 11 CFR 100.22.
 * Facilitation
   The use of corporate or labor organization resources or facilities to engage
   in fundraising activities in connection with any federal election (other than
   raising funds for the organization’s separate segregated fund). Facilitation
   results in a prohibited contribution to the committee that benefits from the
   activity. 11 CFR 114.2(f).
 * Family
    * For purposes of candidate travel rules, "immediate family" means the
      father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse (see separate
      definition), father-in-law or mother-in-law of the candidate. See 11 CFR
      100.93(g)(4).
    * For purposes of rules governing SSF solicitations and corporate/labor
      communications, "families" includes spouses (see separate definition),
      mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who live in the same household. See
      AOs 2013-06 and 1980-102.
    * For purposes of public funding, the term "immediate family" means a
      candidate’s spouse (see separate definition), and any child, parent,
      grandparent, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the
      candidate and the spouses of such persons. 11 CFR 9003.2(c)(1) and
      9035.2(b).

 * Federal Election Activity (FEA)
   Activity by state, district and local party committees, which may be paid for
   with federal or – in the case of the first two types – a combination of
   federal and Levin funds. The four types of federal election activity are as
   follows:
    * Voter registration activity during the period 120 days before a primary or
      general election and ending on election day itself;
    * Voter identification, get-out-the-vote and generic campaign activity
      conducted in connection with an election in which a federal candidate
      appears on the ballot;
    * A public communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate for
      federal office and that promotes, attacks, supports or opposes any
      candidate for federal office. The communication does not need to expressly
      advocate the election or defeat of the federal candidate to qualify as
      federal election activity; and
    * Services provided during a month by an employee of a state, district or
      local party committee who spends more than 25 percent of his or her
      compensated time during that month on activities in connection with a
      federal election including FEA.
   
   11 CFR 100.24(b).
 * Federal funds
   Funds that comply with the limits, prohibitions and reporting requirements of
   the Federal Election Campaign Act. 11 CFR 300.2(g).
 * Federal government contractor
   A person who enters into a contract, or is bidding on such a contract, with
   any agency or department of the United States government and is paid, or is
   to be paid, for services, material, equipment, supplies, land or buildings
   with funds appropriated by Congress. 11 CFR 115.1.
 * Federal officeholder
   An individual elected to or serving in the office of President or Vice
   President of the United States, or a Senator or Representative in, or a
   Delegate or Resident Commissioner, to the Congress of the United States. 11
   CFR 113.1(c) and 300.2(o).
 * Federally chartered corporation
   A corporation that is organized pursuant to a federal statute and that became
   a corporation when it received a charter from a federal agency. See AOs
   1988-12 and 1984-63.
 * Filing
   A report, designation or statement submitted to the FEC or Secretary of the
   Senate by a candidate, committee or other entity. Required filings include
   declarations of candidacy and committee reports of the money they receive and
   spend. See also "Reports, designations and statements".
 * Foreign national
    1. An individual who is not a citizen of the United States or a national of
       the United States and has not been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for
       permanent residence, as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20); or
    2. A foreign principal, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 611(b).
   
   11 CFR 110.20(a)(3).
 * GELAC fund
   General Election Legal and Accounting Compliance fund. A fund established by
   major party candidates for the Office of the President or Vice President of
   the United States, to be used to collect contributions solely for legal and
   accounting services to ensure compliance with federal law. See 11 CFR 9003.3.
 * Generic campaign activity
   A type of Federal Election Activity, as distinguished from voter drive
   activity. Generic campaign activity is a public communication that promotes
   or opposes a political party and does not promote or oppose a clearly
   identified federal candidate or a nonfederal candidate. 11 CFR 100.25.
 * Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)
   In regard to FEA, GOTV activity encompasses all means of assisting,
   encouraging or urging potential voters to vote. This activity includes, but
   is not limited to:
    * Encouraging or urging potential voters to vote, whether by mail (including
      direct mail), email, in person, by telephone (including prerecorded
      telephone calls, phone banks and messaging such as SMS and MMS), or by any
      other means;
    * Informing potential voters, whether by mail (including direct mail),
      email, in person, by telephone (including pre-recorded telephone calls,
      phone banks and messaging such as SMS and MMS), or by any other means,
      about the hours or location of polling places, or about early voting or
      voting by absentee ballot;
    * Offering or arranging to transport, or actually transporting voters to the
      polls;
    * Any other activity that assists potential voters in voting.
   
   11 CFR 100.24(a)(3).
 * Host committee
   A host committee is any local organization, such as a local civic
   association, business league, chamber of commerce, real estate board, board
   of trade, or convention bureau, that satisfies all of the following
   conditions:
    * It is not organized for profit;
    * Its net earnings do not inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or
      individual; and
    * Its principal purpose is the encouragement of commerce in the convention
      city, as well as the projection of a favorable image of the city to
      convention attendees.
   
   11 CFR 9008.50.
 * Hybrid PAC
   A committee that, in addition to making contributions, establishes a separate
   bank account to deposit and withdraw funds raised in unlimited amounts from
   individuals, corporations, labor organizations and/or other political
   committees, consistent with the stipulated judgment in Carey v. FEC. The
   funds maintained in this separate account will not be used to make
   contributions, whether direct, in-kind or via coordinated communications, or
   coordinated expenditures, to federal candidates or committees.
 * Identification
   For purposes of recordkeeping and reporting, a person’s full name and address
   and, in the case of an individual, his or her occupation (principal job title
   or position) and employer (organization or person by whom an individual is
   employed) as well. 11 CFR 100.12, 100.20 and 100.21.
 * In-kind contribution
   A contribution of goods, services or property offered free or at less than
   the usual and normal charge. The term also includes payments made on behalf
   of, but not directly to, candidates and political committees (except for
   independent expenditures or non-coordinated communications). 11 CFR
   100.52(d).
 * Inactive candidate
   The ineligibility date shall be the date on which an individual ceases to be
   a candidate because he or she is not actively conducting campaigns in more
   than one state in connection with seeking the presidential nomination. This
   date shall be the earliest of:
    * The date the candidate publicly announces that he or she will not be
      actively conducting campaigns in more than one state; or
    * The date the candidate notifies the Commission by letter that he or she is
      not actively conducting campaigns in more than one state; or
    * The date which the Commission determines under 11 CFR 9033.6 to be the
      date that the candidate is not actively seeking election in more than one
      state.
   
   See 11 CFR 9033.5.
 * Inaugural committee
   The committee appointed by the President-elect to be in charge of the
   presidential inaugural ceremony and functions and activities connected with
   the inaugural ceremony. 11 CFR 104.21.
 * Independent expenditure
   An expenditure for a communication
    * That expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified
      candidate and
    * That is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the
      request or suggestion of, any candidate, or his or her authorized
      committees or agents, or a political party committee or its agents. 11 CFR
      100.16.

 * Independent expenditure only committee
   A political committee that makes only independent expenditures that may
   solicit and accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations,
   labor organizations and other political committees. It may not accept
   contributions from foreign nationals, federal contractors, national banks or
   federally chartered corporations. See AO 2010-11. Such committees, popularly
   known as Super PACs, must register with the Commission and comply with all
   applicable reporting requirements of the Act.
 * Joint contribution
   A contribution made by more than one person on a single check or other
   written instrument. 11 CFR 110.1(k)(1).
 * Joint fundraising
   Fundraising conducted jointly by a political committee and one or more other
   political committees or unregistered organizations. Joint fundraising is
   often conducted between a principal campaign committee and a political party
   committee.
 * Joint fundraising committee
   A committee that has been set up for the purposes of fundraising for multiple
   committees at the same time or an existing committee that has been authorized
   to serve that purpose.
 * Labor organization
   An organization, agency or employee representative committee or plan, in
   which employees participate and which exists for the purpose of dealing with
   employers on grievances, labor disputes, wages, hours of employment or
   working conditions. 11 CFR 114.1(d).
 * Leadership PAC
   A political committee that is directly or indirectly established, financed,
   maintained or controlled by a candidate or an individual holding federal
   office, but is not an authorized committee of the candidate or officeholder
   and is not affiliated with an authorized committee of a candidate or
   officeholder.
 * Levin funds
   A category of funds raised by state, district and local party committees that
   may be spent for certain Federal Election Activities. Levin funds are
   donations from sources ordinarily prohibited by federal law but permitted by
   state law. 11 CFR 300.31 and 300.32.
 * Limited liability company (LLC)
   A business entity that is recognized as a limited liability company under the
   laws of the state in which it is established. LLCs that are treated as
   partnerships under the IRS code may make contributions. LLCs that have
   publicly traded stock or are treated as corporations under the IRS code are
   prohibited from making contributions. 11 CFR 110.1(g).
 * Lobbyist/registrant
   A person who is a current registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, or an
   individual who is named on a current registration or report filed under the
   Lobbying Disclosure Act. See 11 CFR 104.22.
 * Lobbyist/Registrant PAC
   Any political committee established or controlled by a person who is a
   current registrant under Lobbying Disclosure Act or an individual who is
   named on a current registration or report filed under the Lobbying Disclosure
   Act.
 * Local or district party committee
   A political committee that, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is
   responsible for the day-to-day operation of a political party at a level
   lower than the state level (e.g., city, county, ward). 11 CFR 100.14(b).
 * Local party organization
   A local party organization is an organization that is responsible for a
   political party's activities below the state level (such as city, county or
   district level) but is not registered with the Federal Election Commission as
   a district or local party committee.
 * Major party
   A political party whose candidate in the preceding presidential election
   received, as the candidate of such party, 25 percent or more of the popular
   vote. 11 CFR 9002.6 and 9008.2(c).
 * Matching funds
   Partial public funding available to eligible presidential primary candidates
   in the form of matching payments. The federal government will match up to
   $250 of an individual's total contributions to an eligible candidate,
   provided that candidate shows broad-based public support and agrees to comply
   with spending limits. See 11 CFR Part 9033, Part 9034, Part 9035 and Part
   9037.
 * Matching payment period
   Matching payment period means the period beginning January 1 of the calendar
   year in which a presidential general election is held and may not exceed one
   of the following dates:
    * For a candidate seeking the nomination of a party which nominates its
      presidential candidate at a national convention, the date on which the
      party nominates its candidate.
    * For a candidate seeking the nomination of a party which does not make its
      nomination at a national convention, the earlier of—1) The date the party
      nominates its presidential candidate, or 2) The last day of the last
      national convention held by a major party in the calendar year.
   
   11 CFR 9032.6.
 * Matter Under Review (MUR)
   An FEC enforcement action, initiated by a sworn complaint or by an internal
   administrative action.
 * Member
   With respect to a labor organization, a trade association, a cooperative or
   other incorporated membership organization, a member is an individual or
   other entity that:
    * Satisfies the requirements for membership in a membership organization;
    * affirmatively accepts the organization’s invitation to become a member;
      and
    * maintains a long-term and continuous bond with the organization by:
      * having a significant financial attachment, such as a significant
        investment or ownership stake;
      * paying annual dues; or
      * having direct participatory rights in the governance of the
        organization.
   
   11 CFR 114.1(e)(2).
 * Membership organization
   A labor organization or a trade association, cooperative or other
   incorporated membership organization that:
    * is composed of members;
    * expressly states the qualifications for membership in its articles and
      by-laws;
    * makes its articles, by-laws and other organizational documents available
      to its members;
    * expressly seeks members;
    * acknowledges the acceptance of membership, such as by sending membership
      cards to new members or including them on a membership newsletter list;
      and
    * is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing a federal
      election.
   
   11 CFR 100.134(e) and 114.1(e)(1).
 * Memo entry/memo item
   Supplemental or explanatory information on a reporting schedule. A memo entry
   is often used to disclose additional information about an itemized
   transaction that is included in the total receipts or disbursements for the
   current report or a previous report. The dollar amount in a memo entry is not
   incorporated into the total figure for the schedule.
 * Memo text
   A field offered in FECFile software and some commercial software to allow a
   committee to provide additional text to describe a particular transaction it
   is reporting.
 * Minor party
   For purposes of public funding, the term "minor party" means a political
   party whose presidential candidate in the preceding presidential election
   received five percent or more, but less than 25 percent, of the total number
   of popular votes received by all candidates for such office. See 11 CFR
   9002.7.
 * Multicandidate committee
   A political action committee or party committee that has been registered at
   least six months, has more than 50 contributors and, with the exception of
   state party committees, has made contributions to at least five candidates
   for federal office. 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).
 * Municipal fund
   A municipal fund is any fund or account of a government agency, municipality,
   or municipal corporation whose principal purpose is the encouragement of
   commerce in the municipality and whose receipt and use of funds is subject to
   the control of officials of the State or local government. 11 CFR 9008.50(c).
 * National bank
   A bank that is subject to the supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency.
   The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a bureau of the U.S.
   Treasury Department.
 * National committee
   An organization that, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is
   responsible for the day-to-day operation of the political party at the
   national level, as determined by the Commission. 11 CFR 100.13.
 * National party committee
   A political committee established and maintained by a national political
   party. A party’s national committee, House campaign committee and Senate
   campaign committee are considered national party committees, as determined by
   the Commission. 11 CFR 110.1(c)(2); 110.2(c)(2); 110.3(b)(2).
 * Net debts outstanding
   The total of a campaign’s unpaid debts incurred with respect to an election
   plus estimated costs to liquidate the debts plus costs of terminating
   political activity (if appropriate) minus cash on hand and receivables. 11
   CFR 110.1(b)(3)(ii).
 * Net outstanding campaign obligations (NOCO)
   The total of all outstanding obligations for qualified campaign expenses as
   of a publicly funded presidential candidate's date of ineligibility, plus
   estimated necessary winding down costs less the total of:
    * Cash on hand as of the close of business on the last day of eligibility;
    * The fair market value of capital assets and other assets on hand; and
    * Amounts owed to the committee in the form of credits, refunds of deposits,
      returns, receivables, or rebates of qualified campaign expenses; or a
      commercially reasonable amount based on the collectibility of those
      credits, returns, receivables or rebates.
   
   See 11 CFR 9034.5.
 * New party
   For purposes of public funding, the term "new party" means a political party
   which is neither a major party nor a minor party. 11 CFR 9002.8.
 * Non-contribution account
   A separate bank account to deposit and withdraw funds raised in unlimited
   amounts from individuals, corporations, labor organizations and/or other
   political committees, consistent with the stipulated judgment in Carey v.
   FEC. The funds maintained in this separate account will not be used to make
   contributions, whether direct, in-kind or via coordinated communications, or
   coordinated expenditures, to federal candidates or committees.
 * Nonconnected committee
   Any committee that conducts activities in connection with an election, but
   that is not a party committee, an authorized committee of any candidate for
   federal election, or a separate segregated fund. 11 CFR 106.6(a).
 * None
   If data appears as "None", it's best to check the source document. Common
   reasons that the data appears as "None" are:
    * Data is not processed yet; often, paper filings cause delays and
      inconsistent upload times.
    * Data is from an amendment that did not properly identify the form it was
      amending.
    * The filer did not fill out the information on the form.
   
   If you think there is an error, you can report that via our feedback tool.
 * Nonfederal funds
   Funds that are not subject to the limitations or prohibitions of the Federal
   Election Campaign Act. 11 CFR 300.2(k).
 * Nonmulticandidate committee/nonqualified committee
   A political action committee or party committee that has NOT met all of these
   conditions: a) has been registered at least six months, b) has more than 50
   contributors and, with the exception of state party committees, c) has made
   contributions to at least five candidates for federal office. See 11 CFR
   100.5(e)(3).
 * Occupation
   The principal job title or position of an individual and whether or not
   self-employed. 11 CFR 100.20.
 * One-third rule
   A formula used to ensure the treasury funds of a connected organization are
   not traded for voluntary contributions when the organization pays for prizes
   or entertainment to offer as an incentive to make a contribution to its SSF.
   Under the one-third rule, the SSF must reimburse the connected organization
   for costs that exceed one-third of the money raised. See 11 CFR 114.5(b)(2).
 * Ongoing committee
   Any political committee that has not terminated and does not qualify as a
   terminating committee. 11 CFR 116.1(b).
 * Operating expenditures
   A committee's day-to-day expenditures for items such as rent, overhead,
   administration, personnel, equipment, travel, advertising and fundraising.
 * Ordinary course of business
   In determining whether credit was extended in the ordinary course of
   business, the Commission will consider—
    * Whether the commercial vendor followed its established procedures and its
      past practice in approving the extension of credit;
    * Whether the commercial vendor received prompt payment in full if it
      previously extended credit to the same candidate or political committee;
      and
    * Whether the extension of credit conformed to the usual and normal practice
      in the commercial vendor's trade or industry.
   
   11 CFR 116.3(c).
 * Organization type
   Certain filers, like separate segregated funds and communication cost filers,
   identify the types of organizations they are connected with. These connected
   organizations can be identified as corporations, trade associations, labor
   organizations, cooperatives, membership organizations or corporations without
   capital stock.
 * Overnight delivery service
   A private delivery service business of established reliability that offers an
   overnight (next business day) delivery option.
 * Party committee
   A political committee that represents a political party and is part of the
   official party structure at the national, state or local level.
 * PASO
   PASO is an acronym that stands for “Promote, Attack, Support or Oppose.” See,
   e.g., 11 CFR 100.24(b)(3).
 * Person
   An individual, partnership, political committee, corporation, labor
   organization or any other organization or group of persons, not including the
   federal government. 11 CFR 100.10.
 * Personal funds of a candidate
   The personal funds of a candidate include:
    * Assets which the candidate has a legal right of access to or control over,
      and which he or she has legal title to or an equitable interest in, at the
      time of candidacy;
    * Income from employment;
    * Dividends and interest from, and proceeds from sale or liquidation of,
      stocks and other investments;
    * Income from trusts, if established before the election cycle;
    * Income from trusts established by bequests (even after candidacy)
    * Bequests to the candidate;
    * Personal gifts that had been customarily received by the candidate prior
      to the beginning of the election cycle; and
    * Proceeds from lotteries and similar games of chance.
   
   11 CFR 100.33(a) and (b).
 * Political Action Committee (PAC)
   Popular term for a political committee that is neither a party committee nor
   an authorized committee of a candidate. PACs directly or indirectly
   established, administered or financially supported by a corporation or labor
   organization are called separate segregated funds (SSFs). PACs without such a
   corporate or labor sponsor are called nonconnected PACs.
 * Political committee
   An entity that meets one of the following conditions:
    * An authorized committee of a candidate (see definition of candidate)
    * Any club, association or other group of persons that receives
      contributions or makes expenditures, either of which aggregate over $1,000
      during a calendar year
    * A local unit of a political party (except a state party committee) that:
      (1) receives contributions aggregating over $5,000 during a calendar year;
      (2) makes contributions or expenditures either of which aggregate over
      $1,000 during a calendar year or (3) makes payments aggregating over
      $5,000 during a calendar year for certain activities that are exempt from
      the definitions of contribution and expenditure (11 CFR 100.80, 100.87 and
      100.89; 11 CFR 100.140, 100.149).
    * Any separate segregated fund upon its establishment. 11 CFR 100.5.

 * Political party
   An association, committee or organization that nominates or selects a
   candidate for election to federal office whose name appears on the election
   ballot as the candidate of the organization.
 * Postmarked
   A U.S. Postal Service postmark or the verifiable date of deposit with an
   overnight delivery service.
 * Presidential Election Campaign Fund
   A special fund established by law into which dollars voluntarily designated
   by taxpayers on their federal income tax returns for the purpose of
   presidential public funding are deposited. Once the Federal Election
   Commission determines that eligibility requirements have been met, it
   certifies the amount of public funds to which the candidate is entitled. The
   U.S. Treasury then makes the actual payments from the Fund. See 11 CFR 9002.5
   and 26 U.S.C. § 9006.
 * Presidential public funds
   Public funding of presidential elections means that qualified presidential
   candidates may choose to receive federal government funds to pay for certain
   expenses of their political campaigns in both the primary and general
   elections. Prior to the 2016 presidential election, national political
   parties could also receive federal money for their national nominating
   conventions.
 * Principal campaign committee
   An authorized committee designated by a candidate as the principal committee
   to raise contributions and make expenditures for his or her campaign for a
   federal office.
 * Prior approval
   A written request to a member corporation of a trade association to a member
   corporation for permission to solicit the member’s restricted class. This
   request for approval must inform the member corporation that corporate
   approval is necessary before the trade association or its SSF may conduct a
   solicitation and the corporation may not approve solicitations by another
   trade association for the same calendar year. 11 CFR 114.8(d)(3).
 * Public communication
   A communication by means of any broadcast, cable or satellite communication,
   newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mass mailing or telephone
   bank to the general public, or any other form of general public political
   advertising. The term general public political advertising does not include
   communications made over the internet, except for communications placed for a
   fee on another person’s website. 11 CFR 100.26, 100.27 (definition of mass
   mailing) and 100.28 (definition of telephone bank).
 * Qualified campaign expense
   Any expenditure, including a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance,
   deposit, or gift of money or anything of value incurred by a publicly funded
   presidential candidate that meets certain conditions to be considered
   qualified and thus not subject to repayment of public funds. For primary
   candidates, the expenditure is a qualified campaign expense if:
    * It is incurred by or on behalf of a candidate or the candidate's
      authorized committees from the date the individual becomes a candidate
      through the last day of the candidate's eligibility as determined under 11
      CFR 9033.5;
    * It is made in connection with his or her campaign for nomination; and
    * Neither the incurrence nor payment of which constitutes a violation of any
      law of the United States or of any law of any state in which the expense
      is incurred or paid, or of any regulation prescribed under such law of the
      United States or of any state.
    * See 11 CFR 9032.9.
   
   For general election candidates, the expenditure is a qualified campaign
   expense if:
    * It is incurred to further a candidate's campaign for election to the
      office of President or Vice President of the United States;
    * It is incurred within the expenditure report period, as defined under 11
      CFR 9002.12, or incurred before the beginning of such period to the extent
      such expenditure is for property, services or facilities to be used during
      such period; and
    * Neither the incurrence nor the payment of such expenditure constitutes a
      violation of any law of the United States, any law of the state in which
      such expense is incurred or paid, or any regulation prescribed under such
      federal or state law.
    * See 11 CFR 9002.11.

 * Qualified/non-qualified
   In the context of multicandidate political committees identified in FEC data
   reports and indices, the designation “qualified” or “non-qualified” reflects
   whether a political committee has satisfied the criteria for multicandidate
   political committee status (i.e., whether the committee has been registered
   for at least 6 months, received contributions from more than 50 persons, and
   made contributions to 5 or more federal candidates). Committees listed as
   “non-qualified” do not satisfy these requirements. See 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).
 * Reason-to-believe finding
   In the course of its duties, the Commission may find "reason to believe that
   a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation" of the Act. A
   "reason to believe" finding is not a finding that the respondent violated the
   Act, but instead simply means that the Commission believes a violation may
   have occurred. Such a finding is a precondition to opening an investigation
   into the alleged violation. 52 U.S.C. § 30109(a)(2).
 * Reattributed contribution
   The portion of an excessive contribution that has been attributed in writing
   to another contributor and signed by both contributors. 11 CFR
   110.1(k)(3)(ii).
 * Receipt
   Anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a
   political committee.
 * Redesignated contribution
   With regard to contributions made to candidates, the portion of a
   contribution that has been designated by the contributor, in writing, to an
   election other than the one for which the funds were originally given. 11 CFR
   110.1(b)(5).
 * Refunded contribution
   A contribution is refunded when the recipient committee deposits the
   contribution and sends the contributor a check for the amount (or a portion)
   of the contribution. 11 CFR 103.3(b).
 * Reports, designations and statements
   All committees registered with the FEC and other persons who make certain
   expenditures or disbursements are required to file reports, designations and
   statements that disclose their financial activity. The contents of those
   reports and statements, as well as the filing schedule, depend on the type of
   committee or organization, or the type of expenditure or disbursement made.
   See also "Filing.".
 * Restricted class/solicitable class
   Those persons, including the executive and administrative personnel, members
   or stockholders (and the families of each) within a corporation or labor
   organization, who may be solicited for contributions to the organization’s
   separate segregated fund at any time and who may receive certain
   communications from the organization. 11 CFR 114.1(j); 114.3(a); 114.5(g);
   114.7(a) and (h); and 114.8(c), (h) and (i).
 * Separate segregated fund (SSF)
   A political committee established, administered or financially supported by a
   corporation or labor organization, popularly called a Corporate or Labor
   Political Action Committee (PAC). See 11 CFR 114.1(a)(2)(iii). The term
   "financially supported" does not include contributions to the SSF, but does
   include the payment of establishment, administration or solicitation costs.
   11 CFR 100.6(c).
 * Solicitation (SSF)
   A statement that publicizes the SSF’s right to accept unsolicited
   contributions from any lawful contributor; provides information on how to
   contribute to the SSF; or encourages support for the SSF. AO 1984–55, n. 2;
   AOs 1979–66 and 1979–13.
 * Special election
   A primary, general or runoff election that is not a regularly scheduled
   election and that is held to fill a vacant seat in the House of
   Representatives or the Senate. 100.2(f).
 * Spouse
   Couples married under state law, including same-sex couples, are "spouses"
   for the purpose of Commission regulations. AOs 2013-07 and 2013-06.
 * State party committee
   A committee which, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party or the
   operation of state law is part of the official party structure and is
   responsible for the day-to-day operation of the party at the state level,
   including an entity that is directly or indirectly established, financed,
   maintained or controlled by that organization, as determined by the
   Commission. 11 CFR 100.14(a).
 * Status
   Refers to whether the candidate is an incumbent, challenger or running
   unopposed.
 * Stockholder
   A person who has a vested beneficial interest in stock, the power to direct
   how that stock is voted (if it is voting stock) and the right to receive
   dividends.11 CFR 114.1(h).
 * Super PAC
   A political committee that makes only independent expenditures that may
   solicit and accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations,
   labor organizations and other political committees. It may not accept
   contributions from foreign nationals, federal contractors, national banks or
   federally chartered corporations. See AO 2010-11. Such committees, also known
   as independent expenditure only committees, must register with the Commission
   and comply with all applicable reporting requirements of the Act.
 * Terminating committee
   A political committee that is winding down its activities in preparation for
   filing a termination report. A terminating committee has ceased to make or
   receive contributions or make expenditures (other than for debt retirement
   purposes or winding-down costs). 11 CFR 116.1(a).
 * to Direct
   For purposes of 11 CFR Part 300, to direct means to guide, directly or
   indirectly, a person who has expressed an intent to make a contribution,
   donation, transfer of funds or otherwise provide anything of value, by
   identifying a candidate, political committee or organization for the receipt
   of such funds or things of value. The contribution, donation, transfer or
   thing of value may be provided directly or through an intermediary. Direction
   does not include merely providing information or guidance as to the
   applicability of a particular law or regulation. 11 CFR 300.2(n).
 * to Solicit
   For the purposes of 11 CFR Part 300, to solicit means to ask, request or
   recommend, explicitly or implicitly, that another person make a contribution,
   donation, transfer of funds or otherwise provide anything of value. A
   solicitation is an oral or written communication that, construed as
   reasonably understood in the context in which it is made, contains a clear
   message asking, requesting or recommending that a person make a contribution,
   donation, transfer of funds or otherwise provide anything of value. A
   solicitation may be made directly or indirectly. The context includes the
   conduct of persons involved in the communication. A solicitation does not
   include mere statements of political support or mere guidance as to the
   applicability of a particular law or regulation. 11 CFR 300.2(m).
 * Total disbursements
   The sum of all purchases and payments made during a filing period by a
   political committee or any other person, including an organization that is
   not a political committee that is subject to the Federal Election Campaign
   Act.
 * Total receipts
   The sum of all contributions and other receipts received by a committee
   during a filing period.
 * Trade association
   A membership organization consisting of persons engaged in a similar or
   related line of commerce. A trade association is organized to promote and
   improve business conditions in that line of commerce and not to engage in a
   regular business for profit. No part of the net earnings of a trade
   association may inure to the benefit of any member.
 * Treasurer
   Required for every political committee. The treasurer is responsible for
   filing the committee's registration form, depositing receipts, authorizing
   expenditures, monitoring contributions, keeping records, signing all reports
   and statements and filing all reports and statements on time.
 * Treasury funds
   Funds of a corporation or labor organization that are derived from commercial
   activities or dues payments. Treasury funds may be used for the
   establishment, administrative and fundraising costs of the organization’s
   separate segregated fund, as well as for making independent expenditures and
   contributing to Super PACs and the non-contribution accounts of Hybrid PACs.
   See 11 CFR 114.5(b) and 114.10.
 * U.S.C.
   The United States Code (U.S.C.) contains the federal statutory laws of the
   United States, arranged into 54 broad titles according to subject matter. The
   FEC administers the campaign finance laws found in Title 52 and the portions
   of Title 26 of the United States Code concerning public financing of
   presidential election campaigns.
 * Undesignated contribution
   Contributors may designate contributions for a particular election by
   indicating in writing the specific election to which they intend a
   contribution to apply. A contribution that is not designated by the
   contributor for a specific election is an undesignated contribution.
   Undesignated contributions count against the donor’s contribution limits for
   the candidate’s next election. 11 CFR 110.1(b)(2).
 * Unique identifier
   A unique title or code assigned by a party committee to each program or event
   for which it reports an allocation ratio. Party committees must use that
   identifier consistently when reporting the activity. 11 CFR
   104.17(b)(1)(iii).
 * Usual and normal charge
   With regard to goods provided to a political committee, the term refers to
   the price of those goods in the market from which they ordinarily would have
   been purchased at the time they were provided. With regard to services, the
   term refers to the hourly or piecework charge for the services at a
   commercially reasonable rate prevailing at the time the services were
   rendered. 11 CFR 100.52(d)(2).
 * Voter drive activity
   Voter identification, voter registration and get-out-the-vote-drives, or any
   other activities that urge the general public to register or vote, or that
   promote or oppose a political party, without promoting any federal or
   nonfederal candidate, that do not qualify as FEA. This is a category of
   allocable activity for mixed federal/nonfederal party activity sometimes also
   referred to as a “generic voter drive.” 11 CFR 106.7(c)(5).
 * Voter identification
   With regard to FEA, this means acquiring information about potential voters,
   including, but not limited to, obtaining voter lists and creating or
   enhancing voter lists by verifying or adding information about the voters’
   likelihood of voting in an upcoming election or voting for specific
   candidates. 11 CFR 100.24(a)(4).
 * Voter registration activity
   In regard to FEA, voter registration activity encompasses all means of
   contacting potential voters to assist, encourage or urge them to register to
   vote. This activity includes, but is not limited to:
    * Encouraging or urging potential voters to register to vote, whether by
      mail (including direct mail), email, in person, by telephone (including
      pre-recorded telephone calls, phone banks and messaging such as SMS and
      MMS), or by any other means;
    * Preparing and distributing information about registration and voting;
    * Distributing voter registration forms or instructions to potential voters;
    * Answering questions about how to complete or file a voter registration
      form, or assisting potential voters in completing or filing such forms;
    * Submitting or delivering a completed voter registration form on behalf of
      a potential voter;
    * Offering or arranging to transport, or actually transporting potential
      voters to a board of elections or county clerk’s office for them to fill
      out voter registration forms; or
    * any other activity that assists potential voters to register to vote.
   
   11 CFR 100.24(a)(2).
 * Written instrument
   A check written on a personal, escrow or trust account representing or
   containing the contributor's personal funds; a money order; any similar
   negotiable instrument; or, for contributions by credit or debit card, a paper
   record, or an electronic record that can be reproduced on paper, of the
   transaction. In the case of a contribution by a credit card or debit card,
   "written instrument" includes either a transaction slip or other writing
   signed by the cardholder, or in the case of such a contribution made over the
   internet, an electronic record of the transaction created and transmitted by
   the cardholder, and including the name of the cardholder and the card number,
   which can be maintained electronically and reproduced in a written form by
   the recipient candidate or candidate's committee. See 11 CFR 9034.2(b).

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