Finance Committee Introduction

 

Campaign Finance in American Elections

The finance committee of Democracy Matters is dedicated to educating the people about the finances that go into elections. We educate people on the importance of ethical funding to campaigns, the prevalence of Super PACs, and what the mysterious ‘dark money’ is in politics. We are dedicated to giving our members a comprehensive view on the ongoings of finance within our democratic system.

In American elections, the role of finance can be significant in a number of ways. Political campaigns often require significant amounts of money to fund activities such as advertising, polling, and travel. Political parties, candidates, and outside groups may also engage in fundraising activities to support their efforts. The source of campaign funding can be a controversial issue, and there are laws in place that regulate how campaigns can raise and spend money. 

For example, the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) sets limits on the amount of money that candidates and political committees can accept from individuals and organizations. The act also requires the disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures. In recent years, the role of money in politics has been the subject of much debate and scrutiny. Some people believe that the influence of large donors and special interests can distort the political process and undermine democracy. Others argue that campaign finance laws restrict the ability of candidates to effectively communicate their message to voters and that the role of money in politics is a necessary part of the electoral process.

The Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) case was a controversial decision by the United States Supreme Court that was issued in 2010. At the heart of the case was the question of whether the government has the power to regulate campaign spending by corporations and unions.

The Citizens United case arose from a challenge to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (also known as the McCain-Feingold Act), which included provisions that prohibited corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make independent expenditures for political purposes. In its decision, the Supreme Court held that these provisions of the McCain-Feingold Act were unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment's protection of free speech.

The Citizens United decision was widely criticized by those who believe that it allows wealthy individuals and special interests to exert too much influence on the political process. Critics argue that the decision has led to an increase in the role of money in politics and has made it easier for outside groups to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. Others, however, argue that the decision protects the free speech rights of corporations and unions and allows them to participate in the political process.

Lobbying efforts related to campaign finance can involve efforts by individuals or organizations to influence decisions made by lawmakers and regulators regarding the rules and regulations governing the financing of political campaigns. This can include efforts to influence the passage or defeat of legislation that would affect campaign finance laws, as well as efforts to shape the implementation and enforcement of existing campaign finance laws.

Lobbying efforts related to campaign finance can be made by a wide variety of individuals and organizations, including political parties, candidates, advocacy groups, and businesses. These efforts may take many forms, such as meetings with lawmakers and their staff, grassroots campaigns, and advertising and public relations efforts.

The role of lobbying in the campaign finance process has been the subject of much controversy and debate. Some people argue that lobbying allows individuals and organizations to have a disproportionate influence on the political process, while others believe that it is a necessary part of the democratic process that allows diverse voices to be heard.Campaign finance reform refers to efforts to change the rules and regulations governing the financing of political campaigns. This can include efforts to limit the amount of money that candidates and political committees can raise and spend, as well as efforts to increase transparency and disclosure requirements for campaign contributions and expenditures.

There are many ways that people can learn about campaign finance reform, including:

1. Reading about the issue: There are many books, articles, and reports that discuss the issue of campaign finance reform and provide information about the history, current state, and potential future of campaign finance laws.

2. Following news and analysis: Many news outlets cover the issue of campaign finance reform, and there are also a number of organizations that provide analysis and commentary on the subject.

3. Participating in online discussions and forums: There are many online communities and forums where people can discuss campaign finance reform and share their views on the issue.

4. Attending lectures and events: Universities, think tanks, and other organizations often host lectures, panel discussions, and other events on the subject of campaign finance reform.

This is exactly what the finance committee will teach you about this upcoming semester. Events that we will conduct are lobbying efforts, and presenting different ways to approach advocacy for campaign finance reform. We are looking forward to an eventful, and educational semester to teach all of you about the ongoings of campaign finance within the United States.

This post was curated by Director of Finance Neil Sairam