Also known as: Political Action Committees · PAC · PACs
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An organization formed by a special-interest group to raise money and contribute it to the campaigns of political candidates who the group believes will promote its interests. The organization may be subject to contribution limits and disclosure requirements under federal election law.
Philip Powell, a partner at a law firm, donates funds through the firm's political action committee to the campaign of a county official who oversees award of government contracts. The official later selects the firm for a lucrative legal engagement. The contribution raises questions about whether the selection rested on merit or on the political support.
Prism Analytics forms a political action committee funded by employee donations. The PAC runs broadcast ads supporting a federal candidate shortly before the election. The Supreme Court held that corporations may also use general treasury funds for such independent expenditures without violating the First Amendment.
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Prime Logistics establishes a multicandidate political action committee that has registered for more than six months and contributed to five federal candidates. The committee seeks to donate the maximum amount permitted to a senatorial campaign. Federal law caps the contribution at five thousand dollars per election.
Pierce Patterson, a sitting judge running for retention, receives contributions from a political action committee formed by local business interests. The committee publicly endorses Patterson and runs ads highlighting his rulings. The contributions test the boundary between permissible political participation and concerns over judicial impartiality.
Premier Manufacturing's political action committee contributes to candidates who support stronger copyright enforcement. When legislation extending copyright terms is challenged, the committee's spending illustrates how organized groups use political contributions to influence policy outcomes in intellectual property law.
Patriot Insurance's political action committee funds advertisements opposing a state voter identification law. The ads urge voters to support candidates who promise to repeal the requirement. The committee's activity shows how PACs channel interest-group resources into election-related speech on election administration issues.
A multicandidate political action committee must have more than fifty contributors, be registered for at least six months, and have contributed to at least five federal candidates. These requirements allow the committee to make contributions up to five thousand dollars per candidate under federal law.
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No. Corporations must establish a separate segregated fund, commonly called a political action committee, to make independent expenditures or electioneering communications. The fund may receive only voluntary contributions from stockholders and employees.
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The rule prohibits a lawyer or law firm from making or soliciting political contributions when the purpose is to obtain a government legal engagement or judicial appointment. Contributions made through a political action committee remain subject to this prohibition if the contribution is intended to secure such work.
Political action committees must register with the Federal Election Commission and file periodic reports disclosing contributions received and expenditures made. These requirements stem from the statutory definition of political committee and the major-purpose test articulated in Buckley v. Valeo.
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