What is a campaign disbursement?
What is a campaign disbursement?
“Disbursement” is a broader term that covers both expenditures and other kinds of payments (those not made to influence a federal election). All disbursements are reportable by the campaign.
How can campaign funds be used?
Campaign funds may be used to make donations or loans to bona fide charitable, educational, civic, religious, or similar tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations as long as the donation or loan is reasonably related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose.
What is campaign soft money?
Campaign contributions that are referred to as soft money are those raised by national and state parties that are not regulated by the federal campaign finance law because they are not contributed directly to a candidate but rather to a party committee for its use in generic “party building” activities like “get-out- …
Can you use campaign funds for legal defense?
The Ethics Committee has determined that it is generally permissible under House Rules for a Member to use campaign funds to defend legal actions arising out of his or her campaign, election, or the performance of official duties.
Are campaign staff paid?
Campaign staffs are generally composed both of unpaid volunteers and paid employees of either the campaign itself or a related political party. The staff may include political consultants who provide advice and assistance to a campaign.
Do political donations have to be disclosed?
California is a national leader in promoting transparency and fairness in elections. The Political Reform Act requires candidates and committees to file campaign statements by specified deadlines disclosing contributions received and expenditures made.
Can elected officials tap unspent campaign funds for personal use?
There was a time, three decades ago, when elected officials could permissably tap unspent campaign funds for personal use after they left office. Starting in 1979, though, there have been continued efforts to outlaw unfettered personal spending of war chest money.
What happens to money left over from a campaign?
In the event a campaign has money left over, there are a few options for what can be done with the funds: Cover costs of winding down a campaign, including “gifts or donations of nominal value” to campaign donors or staff who are not members of the candidate’s family.
When are campaign funds not allowed to be used for expenses?
In other words, if the expense exists independent of the campaign or being an elected federal official, campaign funds may not be used.
How can I donate money to a political campaign?
Donate to charity. Donate to their party as the federal, state, or local level. Make contributions to other candidates’ campaigns (provided donations do not exceed $2,000 per individual candidate). Save it for a future campaign.
