4.09 Campaigns (Government)

Flashcards about campaigns, campaign finance, and related legislation.

Sunshine Laws

Laws designed to foster transparency and support the public's right to know about government actions.

Sunshine Week

A national initiative led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to emphasize sunshine laws and their importance.

Potential for Corruption in Campaigns

The risk that large campaign contributions might influence elected officials, potentially leading to actions that benefit donors.

Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971

Legislation that established campaign finance disclosure by requiring candidates for national office to report contributions of $100 or more in quarterly reports, and $5000 or more within 48 hours during election years.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

A law that grants the public the right to request records from federal agencies, including campaign finance reports from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

The independent agency established to enforce campaign finance law for federal elections.

501(c)(4)s

Nonprofit, independent groups that can have anonymous donors and are not required to disclose where they get money from.

Purpose of Campaigns

To provide voters with the information they need to choose a candidate to represent them.

Campaign Manager

The person in charge of the campaign, overseeing day-to-day operations, hiring, staff management, fundraising, and budgeting.

Political Consultants

Professionals who specialize in the management of political campaigns, advising on fundraising, image, and message.

Field Department

The department that organizes canvassing, phone banking, and local events to connect with voters.

Grassroots Organizations

Local groups that support a specific cause and work with the field department to organize events.

Communications Department

The department responsible for handling advertising and press relations, overseeing the candidate's image and message.

TV Spots

Campaign advertisements that feature the candidate and their message, often containing sound bites.

Air Wars

Mass media advertising in campaigns where both positive and negative ads are used to battle over the airwaves.

Finance Department

The department that brings in the money to run the campaign through fundraising and coordinating with donors.

PACS and Super PACS

Organizations that contribute funds to campaigns, influencing the financial aspect of elections.

Technology Department

The department that oversees the campaign's social media and websites, along with other campaign technology.

Packaging a Candidate

The process of transforming a candidate's image through strategic appearances and media portrayals.

Scheduling Department

The department that sets the candidate's schedule to have the most impact on voters.

Horse Race

A campaign where the media focus on who's leading in polls or primaries, rather than on issues.

Super Tuesday

The apex when both parties complete their primary cycles in several states.

Battleground States

Also known as swing states, candidates visit these states hoping to 'swing' voters and thus electoral votes toward themselves.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Supreme Court case that ruled political donations were equivalent to free speech, protecting campaign spending.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Supreme Court case that ruled corporate spending on independent political speech cannot be limited because it is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Legislation that eliminated the patronage system and instituted the merit system of hiring bureaucrats.

1925 Federal Corrupt Practices Act

Expanded on campaign finance regulation. Required federal candidates and political committees operating in more than one state to file disclosure reports of donations and expenses before and after elections.

1907 Tillman Act

Prohibited monetary contributions to national political campaigns by corporations, unions, and national banks.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

Also known as the McCain-Feingold Act, regulates soft money and issue advocacy. Prohibited parties, candidates, and officeholders from asking for soft money contributions in federal elections.

1947 Taft-Hartley Act

Amended previous labor laws to control unions more closely. It prohibited labor unions from contributing to political campaigns.

1971 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

The foundational piece to modern legislation. It increased the disclosure requirements of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act.