Money in politics
How large and hidden political spending affects our elections, what the law allows, and where to follow the money yourself. Facts come from official and nonpartisan sources. We do not take sides.
The basics
Campaigns cost money, and the law treats different kinds of spending differently.
Candidate committees
A candidate’s own campaign. It raises money from individuals within legal limits and reports its donors to the Federal Election Commission (federal races) or the state.
PACs
Political action committees pool contributions from members or employees and give to candidates, within limits.
Super PACs
Since 2010 these groups can raise and spend unlimited amounts on ads for or against candidates, as long as they do not coordinate with a campaign. They must report their donors.
Dark money
Some nonprofits and other groups can spend on politics without publicly naming their donors. That is why people call it dark money.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
The Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot limit independent political spending by corporations and unions. It changed how money flows in elections.
Follow the money yourself
The FEC publishes who gives to federal candidates and committees. Anyone can search it for free.
Where people disagree
Thoughtful people land in different places on this question.
Limits protect fairness
Many argue that large and hidden spending gives a few donors outsized influence and that voters deserve to know who is paying for political ads.
Spending is speech
Others argue that spending money to spread a political message is protected free speech and that limits can silence citizens and groups.
Who is working on it
Institute for Economics and Peace
Its research on Positive Peace finds that low levels of corruption and a well-functioning government are two of the 8 Pillars that make societies peaceful and resilient. Rotary is a strategic partner of IEP. See Vision of Humanity.
American Promise
A cross-partisan group working for a constitutional amendment so Americans can set reasonable limits on money in elections.
Rotarians for The American Promise
Rotarians exploring reforms for free and fair elections through Rotary values and the Four-Way Test.
RepresentUs
A nonpartisan anti-corruption campaign working on state and local reforms.
Issue One
A cross-partisan group of former members of Congress and others working to reduce the influence of big money.
Institute for Free Speech
Argues against many campaign finance limits as restrictions on free speech. A useful view from the other side of the debate.
Trusted sources
Federal Election Commission
The official source for federal campaign finance rules and filings.
OpenSecrets
Nonpartisan research that tracks money in federal and state politics, lobbying and outside spending.
Ballotpedia: campaign finance
A neutral encyclopedia of rules, court cases and ballot measures.
Oyez: Supreme Court cases
Plain-language summaries and audio of the key court decisions.
Bring it to your club
Use Rotary’s Four-Way Test to host a civil conversation. Try these questions at a club meeting or with Democracy In A Box.
Is it the truth?
What do we actually know about who funds the ads we see in our area? Look it up together on the FEC or OpenSecrets.
Is it fair to all concerned?
Would the rules we favor still feel fair if the other side benefited from them?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Can members who disagree about limits agree on anything, such as disclosure of who pays?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
What change, if any, would help every voter trust our elections more?
A program of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach. Rate your project with the 4-7-8-17 framework at 47817.org.
Keep exploring
Download the U.S. Constitution (PDF)
Our free large-print booklet: the full Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all 27 amendments, from the National Archives text. Presented with Democracy In A Box and the Rotary Club of Newport Beach.
Understanding free and fair elections
Our full nonpartisan guide: the life of a ballot, money, maps, reform history and talking across divides.
All topics
Money in politics, fair district maps, campaign finance and polarization.
