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state of play in campaign finance rules to Follow the Unlimited Money tool
Introduction Guidance
Introduction
groups certainly spent money Some had as much impact as Super PACs
Swift Boat Vets Moveon.org Bush not on our side PVF: Ashleys Story NSP: Willie Horton
First
Super PACs (new!) Labor Unions (new!) Corporations (new!) 501(c)4s (new!) 501(c)6s (new!)
PACs:
C4s,
Disclose expenditures
Ad buys (TV, radio, online) Phone banks, GOTV
Citizens United
Despite
and C6s
Were running issue ads Mention federal candidates Tell Joe Smith you dont want higher taxes
by Rep. Chris Van Hollen Sued to require c4s, c6s to disclose Applies only to electioneering FEC says they will apply ruling retroactively Nonprofits turning to express advocacy
A NOTE ON ELECTIONEERING
There
is a ton of spending that does NOT show up in FEC files The only way to track it is to go to the public files the FCC requires broadcasters to maintain Sunlight is part of a coalition of groups trying to get these forms online
FCC rule Top 50 markets Top 4 stations Must post political file Started 8/2 Leaves a lot of the country uncovered
QUICK PLUG
If
you want more information on our FCC project Sign up at PoliticalAdSleuth.com Wed be thrilled to have your help You can also email us for more info
kkiely@sunlightfoundation.com
Politicaladsleuth.com
ballison@sunlightfoundation.com
tracker shows
All Super PACs All independent expenditures All federal candidates & races with IE spending All electioneering communications And much much more!
much spent
IEs Electioneering
Links
to other
data
Independent expenditures Donors to a super PAC or all super PACs Donors and Expenditures by state Donors and expenditures by race
you
Find out what kind of group it is Find its address, treasurer, etc. See more details than we provide All data from the FEC files is available for download from our site
type
E Means it only does issue ads Note that all filings are electioneering communications Note no filings on or after 3/30/2012
type O Means its a super PAC We have an address (Sacramento? For Hoosiers?) We have a treasurers name Forms filed include statement of organization, quarterly report, etc.
one: Boiler plate letter saying theyre a super PAC All super PACs file this
of committee Email & website (if there is oneoften there is) Treasurers name
you what kind of committee it is Tells you if it supports one or multiple candidates
you the phone number of the treasurer With a lot of these shadowy groups, thats going to be your first point of contact Sometimes they list two or three individuals
name Amount spent Race, and whether they supported or opposed named candidate Also can see who made the ad buy
ALSO HAS A PAGE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL DONORS (COMPANIES, NONPROFITS, UNIONS, ETC.)
Heres
a recent electioneering communication Run by a group called Freedom Path Lets dig deeper
its a super PAC, we tell you When its not, we leave that space blank So what kind of group is Freedom Path?
FIRST CLUE
Go
to the FEC filings Its a type E committee Its a group (other than PACs) making electioneering communications (Note: its also made independent expenditures)
get an address The custodian of records (who looks like she does FEC compliance for a living) You also get the date the ad ran
ON PAGE TWO
Lists
main search on home page Bensing a revolver Bensing a lobbyist Bensing working for four PACs
works for SBC Strategic Consulting Used to work for November Inc., another lobbying firm
INTERESTS HE REPRESENTS
Oooh,
Freedom
Path Action Network sounds a lot like Freedom Path Check to see if there are super PACs with names similar to the group youre looking at
spent What theyre buying Federal candidates mentioned Yellow: Whos being paid
Note that with ad buys, most of the money will go to TV, radio, etc.
this case, were lucky They have a page telling us theyre a c4 So we know what it is and whos behind it What we dont know is who contributes Always worth pointing which groups dont disclose donors
by state and region Has c3s, c4s, c5s, c6sc25s Lists income, expenditures and assets from most recent 990 Has address of group & contact name
501c4s and c6s will be created in the weeks to come They wont have 990s available Check on their status with the IRS by calling 1-877-829-5500 It can be a ten to fifteen minute wait You can also contact Jim Willis at SOI for help on exempt org data james.n.willis@irs.gov
Virginia Sec. of State site Requires charities to file lots of info No donors but you do get
builds tons of tools We have on-staff expertise in investigative journalism We dig into disclosures all the time We regularly train journalists at conferences, through webinars We are putting our knowledge, experience and techniques online, available 24/7
training.sunlightfoundation.com
Thanks
Communications director Gabriela Schneider gab@sunlightfoundation.com (202) 742-1520 ext. 235 Communications manager Liz Bartolomeo liz@sunlightfoundation.com (202) 742-2520 ext 226 Managing editor Kathy Kiely kkiely@sunlightfoundation.com (202) 742-1520 ext 245 Editorial director Bill Allison ballison@sunlightfoundation.com (202) 742-1520 ext 224