This page provides answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find an answer to your question here, please contact the FEC's Information Division, toll free at 800-424-9530 or by e-mail at info@fec.gov.
The PDF files linked on this web page may be viewed or printed using the free Acrobat Reader available from Adobe.
For information concerning Election Day-related topics, such as voting results, the Electoral College and polling place hours and locations, please see the FEC's page of Election Day Links.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). That statute limits the sources and amounts of the contributions used to finance federal elections, requires public disclosure of campaign finance information and--in tandem with the Primary Matching Payment Act and the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act--provides for the public funding of Presidential elections. For more information on the FEC's role in regulating federal elections, see the brochure "The FEC and the Federal Campaign Finance Law."
Please note that the rules governing elections for state or local offices and procedures for getting on the ballot for an election are outside of the purview of the FEC. You will want to contact the Secretary of State or appropriate election office in your state for more information. For a guide to state offices, please see our Combined Federal/State Disclosure and Election Directory.
Visit the Election Assistance Commission web site and download a copy of the National Voter Registration Form.
Some of the contribution limits set forth in the federal campaign finance laws are adjusted every election cycle to account for changes in the consumer price index (CPI). In odd-numbered years, the FEC publishes the adjusted limits immediately after it receives the CPI figures from the Department of Labor -- typically in February or March. Until then, the Commission encourages donors not to exceed the limits for the previous election cycle. The chart below lists the limits for the current election cycle. The chart is also available as an HTML table or a PDF table.
Foreign nationals are prohibited from making any contributions or expenditures in connection with any election in the U.S. Please note, however, that "green card" holders (i.e., individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.) are not considered foreign nationals and, as a result, may contribute. For additional information, consult our "Foreign Nationals" brochure.
The Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations include a number of provisions intended to encourage individuals to become involved in campaigns. For example, an individual can provide volunteer services to a candidate or party without considering the value of those service a contribution to the candidate or party. Individuals may also make independent expenditures supporting or opposing candidates, and may finance electioneering communications. However, both of these activities are subject to special reporting requirements. For more information on volunteering and other ways of supporting candidates, consult our Citizens Guide [PDF].
Political committees must include a clear and conspicuous disclaimer on all "public communications" (e.g., TV and radio ads, newspaper, magazine or outdoor advertising, and mass mailings or telephone banks to the general public). Public communications financed by individuals or other organizations must include a disclaimer if the communication expressly advocates a candidate's election or defeat or solicits funds. The disclaimers must indicate who paid for the communication and whether or not it was authorized by a candidate. Unauthorized ads must also include contact information for the sponsoring organization. For additional information, see our brochure, Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations.
The McCain-Feingold law--a.k.a. the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)--is described in detail on the FEC web site. Click here to visit our BCRA home page.
Entities organized under section 527 of the tax code are considered "political organizations," defined generally as a party, committee or association that is organized and operated primarily for the purpose of influencing the selection, nomination or appointment of any individual to any federal, state or local public office, or office in a political organization. All political committees that register and file reports with the FEC are 527 organizations, but not all 527 organizations are required to file with the FEC. Some file reports with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For additional information on 527 organizations, please visit the IRS web site.
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, incorporated charitable organizations--like other corporations--are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in connection with federal elections. Unlike most other corporations, charities face additional restrictions on political activity under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS recently issued a report on political activity by charitable organizations and has posted on its web site a fact sheet to help 501(c)(3) organizations comply with the tax laws.
While many campaign-related Internet activities are not subject to FEC regulations, some--most notably paid advertising--are subject to certain restrictions. For a summary, consult our Internet Communications and Activity brochure.
