11 C.F.R. PART 100—SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (2 U.S.C. 431)
Title 11 - Federal Elections
Authority: 2 U.S.C. 431, 434, and 438(a)(8).
Source: 45 FR 15094, Mar. 7, 1980, unless otherwise noted.
This subchapter is issued by the Federal Election Commission to implement the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Pub. L. 92–225), as amended by Public Law 93–443, Public Law 94–283, Public Law 95–216, and Public Law 96–187. (a) Election means the process by which individuals, whether opposed or unopposed, seek nomination for election, or election, to Federal office. The specific types of elections, as set forth at 11 CFR 100.2 (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) are included in this definition. (b) General election. A general election is an election which meets either of the following conditions: (1) An election held in even numbered years on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November is a general election. (2) An election which is held to fill a vacancy in a Federal office (i.e., a special election) and which is intended to result in the final selection of a single individual to the office at stake is a general election. See 11 CFR 100.2(f). (c) Primary election. A primary election is an election which meets one of the following conditions: (1) An election which is held prior to a general election, as a direct result of which candidates are nominated, in accordance with applicable State law, for election to Federal office in a subsequent election is a primary election. (2) An election which is held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of President of the United States is a primary election. (3) An election which is held to elect delegates to a national nominating convention is a primary election. (4) With respect to individuals seeking federal office as independent candidates, or without nomination by a major party (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 9002(6)), the primary election is considered to occur on one of the following dates, at the choice of the candidate: (i) The day prescribed by applicable State law as the last day to qualify for a position on the general election ballot may be designated as the primary election for such candidate. (ii) The date of the last major party primary election, caucus, or convention in that State may be designated as the primary election for such candidate. (iii) In the case of non-major parties, the date of the nomination by that party may be designated as the primary election for such candidate. (5) With respect to any major party candidate (as defined at 26 U.S.C. 9002(6)) who is unopposed for nomination within his or her own party, and who is certified to appear as that party's nominee in the general election for the office sought, the primary election is considered to have occurred on the date on which the primary election was held by the candidate's party in that State. (d) Runoff election. Runoff election means the election which meets either of the following conditions: (1) The election held after a primary election, and prescribed by applicable State law as the means for deciding which candidate(s) should be certified as a nominee for the Federal office sought, is a runoff election. (2) The election held after a general election and prescribed by applicable State law as the means for deciding which candidate should be certified as an officeholder elect, is a runoff election. (e) Caucus or Convention. A caucus or convention of a political party is an election if the caucus or convention has the authority to select a nominee for federal office on behalf of that party. (f) Special election. Special election means an election which is held to fill a vacancy in a Federal office. A special election may be a primary, general, or runoff election, as defined at 11 CFR 100.2 (b), (c) and (d). (a) Definition. Candidate means an individual who seeks nomination for election, or election, to federal office. An individual becomes a candidate for Federal office whenever any of the following events occur: (1) The individual has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 or made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000. (2) The individual has given his or her consent to another person to receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf of that individual and such person has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 or made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000. (3) After written notification by the Commission that any other person has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 or made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000 on the individual's behalf, the individual fails to disavow such activity by letter to the Commission within 30 days of receipt of the notification. (4) The aggregate of contributions received under 11 CFR 100.3(a) (1), (2), and (3), in any combination thereof, exceeds $5,000, or the aggregate of expenditures made under 11 CFR 100.3(a) (1), (2), and (3), in any combination thereof, exceeds $5,000. (b) Election cycle. For purposes of determining whether an individual is a candidate under this section, contributions or expenditures shall be aggregated on an election cycle basis. An election cycle shall begin on the first day following the date of the previous general election for the office or seat which the candidate seeks, unless contributions or expenditures are designated for another election cycle. For an individual who receives contributions or makes expenditures designated for another election cycle, the election cycle shall begin at the time such individual, or any other person acting on the individual's behalf, first receives contributions or makes expenditures in connection with the designated election. The election cycle shall end on the date on which the general election for the office or seat that the individual seeks is held. Federal office means the office of President or Vice President of the United States, Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States. Political committee means any group meeting one of the following conditions: (a) Except as provided in 11 CFR 100.5 (b), (c) and (d), any committee, club, association, or other group of persons which receives contributions aggregating in excess of $1,000 or which makes expenditures aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year is a political committee. (b) Any separate segregated fund established under 2 U.S.C. 441b(b)(2)(C) is a political committee. (c) Any local committee of a political party is a political committee if: it receives contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year; it makes payments exempted from the definition of contribution, under 11 CFR 100.80, 100.87, and 100.89 and expenditure, under 11 CFR 100.140, 100.147, and 100.149, which payments aggregate in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year; or it makes contributions aggregating in excess of $1,000 or makes expenditures aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year. (d) An individual's principal campaign committee or authorized committee(s) becomes a political committee(s) when that individual becomes a candidate pursuant to 11 CFR 100.3. (e) The following are examples of political committees: (1) Principal campaign committee. Principal campaign committee means a political committee designated and authorized by a candidate pursuant to 11 CFR 101.1 and 102.1. (2) Single candidate committee. Single candidate committee means a political committee other than a principal campaign committee which makes or receives contributions or makes expenditures on behalf of only one candidate. (3) Multi-candidate committee. Multi-candidate committee means a political committee which (i) has been registered with the Commission or Secretary of the Senate for at least 6 months; (ii) has received contributions for Federal elections from more than 50 persons; and (iii) (except for any State political party organization) has made contributions to 5 or more Federal candidates. (4) Party committee. Party committee means a political committee which represents a political party and is part of the official party structure at the national, State, or local level. (5) Delegate committee. A delegate committee is a group of persons that receives contributions or makes expenditures for the sole purpose of influencing the selection of one or more delegates to a national nominating convention. The term delegate committee includes a group of delegates, a group of individuals seeking selection as delegates and a group of individuals supporting delegates. A delegate committee that qualifies as a political committee under 11 CFR 100.5 must register with the Commission pursuant to 11 CFR part 102 and report its receipts and disbursements in accordance with 11 CFR part 104. (See definition of delegate at 11 CFR 110.14(b)(1).) (f) A political committee is either an authorized committee or an unauthorized committee. (1) Authorized committee. An authorized committee means the principal campaign committee or any other political committee authorized by a candidate under 11 CFR 102.13 to receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf of such candidate, or which has not been disavowed pursuant to 11 CFR 100.3(a)(3). (2) Unauthorized committee. An unauthorized committee is a political committee which has not been authorized in writing by a candidate to solicit or receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf of such candidate, or which has been disavowed pursuant to 11 CFR 100.3(a)(3). (g) Affiliated committee. (1) All authorized committees of the same candidate for the same election to Federal office are affiliated. (2) All committees (including a separate segregated fund, see 11 CFR part 114) established, financed, maintained or controlled by the same corporation, labor organization, person, or group of persons, including any parent, subsidiary, branch, division, department, or local unit thereof, are affiliated. Local unit may include, in appropriate cases, a franchisee, licensee, or State or regional association. (3) Affiliated committees sharing a single contribution limitation under paragraph (g)(2) of this section include all of the committees established, financed, maintained or controlled by— (i) A single corporation and/or its subsidiaries; (ii) A single national or international union and/or its local unions or other subordinate organizations; (iii) An organization of national or international unions and/or all its State and local central bodies; (iv) A membership organization, (other than political party committees, see 11 CFR 110.3(b)) including trade or professional associations, see 11 CFR 114.8(a), and/or related State and local entities of that organization or group; or (v) The same person or group of persons. (4)(i) The Commission may examine the relationship between organizations that sponsor committees, between the committees themselves, or between one sponsoring organization and a committee established by another organization to determine whether committees are affiliated. (ii) In determining whether committees not described in paragraphs (g)(3) (i)–(iv) of this section are affiliated, the Commission will consider the circumstantial factors described in paragraphs (g)(4)(ii) (A) through (J) of this section. The Commission will examine these factors in the context of the overall relationship between committees or sponsoring organizations to determine whether the presence of any factor or factors is evidence of one committee or organization having been established, financed, maintained or controlled by another committee or sponsoring organization. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (A) Whether a sponsoring organization owns controlling interest in the voting stock or securities of the sponsoring organization of another committee; (B) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee has the authority or ability to direct or participate in the governance of another sponsoring organization or committee through provisions of constitutions, bylaws, contracts, or other rules, or through formal or informal practices or procedures; (C) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee has the authority or ability to hire, appoint, demote or otherwise control the officers, or other decisionmaking employees or members of another sponsoring organization or committee; (D) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee has a common or overlapping membership with another sponsoring organization or committee which indicates a formal or ongoing relationship between the sponsoring organizations or committees; (E) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee has common or overlapping officers or employees with another sponsoring organization or committee which indicates a formal or ongoing relationship between the sponsoring organizations or committees; (F) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee has any members, officers or employees who were members, officers or employees of another sponsoring organization or committee which indicates a formal or ongoing relationship between the sponsoring organizations or committees, or which indicates the creation of a successor entity; (G) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee provides funds or goods in a significant amount or on an ongoing basis to another sponsoring organization or committee, such as through direct or indirect payments for administrative, fundraising, or other costs, but not including the transfer to a committee of its allocated share of proceeds jointly raised pursuant to 11 CFR 102.17; (H) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee causes or arranges for funds in a significant amount or on an ongoing basis to be provided to another sponsoring organization or committee, but not including the transfer to a committee of its allocated share of proceeds jointly raised pursuant to 11 CFR 102.17; (I) Whether a sponsoring organization or committee or its agent had an active or significant role in the formation of another sponsoring organization or committee; and (J) Whether the sponsoring organizations or committees have similar patterns of contributions or contributors which indicates a formal or ongoing relationship between the sponsoring organizations or committees. (5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (g)(2) through (g)(4) of this section, no authorized committee shall be deemed affiliated with any entity that is not an authorized committee. [45 FR 15094, Mar. 7, 1980, as amended at 45 FR 34867, May 23, 1980; 52 FR 35534, Sept. 22, 1987; 54 FR 34109, Aug. 17, 1989; 54 FR 48580, Nov. 24, 1989; 61 FR 3549, Feb. 1, 1996; 67 FR 78679, Dec. 26, 2002; 68 FR 67018, Dec. 1, 2003] (a) Connected organization means any organization which is not a political committee but which directly or indirectly establishes, administers, or financially supports a political committee. A connected organization may be a corporation (including a corporation without capital stock), a labor organization, a membership organization, a cooperative or a trade association. (b) For purposes of 11 CFR 100.6, organizations which are members of the entity (such as corporate members of a trade association) which establishes, administers, or financially supports a political committee are not organizations which directly or indirectly establish, administer or financially support that political committee. (c) For purposes of 11 CFR 100.6, the term financially supports does not include contributions to the political committee, but does include the payment of establishment, administration and solicitation costs of such committee. Commission means the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463. [45 FR 15094, Mar. 7, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 50778, Dec. 12, 1985] Person means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, and any other organization, or group of persons, but does not include the Federal government or any authority of the Federal government. State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States. Identification means, in the case of an individual, his or her full name, including: First name, middle name or initial, if available, and last name; mailing address; occupation; and the name of his or her employer; and, in the case of any other person, the person's full name and address. National committee means the organization which, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the political party at the national level, as determined by the Commission. (a) State committee means the organization that by virtue of the bylaws of a political party or the operation of State law is part of the official party structure and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the political party at the State level, including an entity that is directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by that organization, as determined by the Commission. (b) District or local committee means any organization that by virtue of the bylaws of a political party or the operation of State law is part of the official party structure, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the political party at the level of city, county, neighborhood, ward, district, precinct, or any other subdivision of a State. (c) Subordinate committee of a State, district, or local committee means any organization that at the level of city, county, neighborhood, ward, district, precinct, or any other subdivision of a State or any organization under the control or direction of the State committee, and is directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by the State, district, or local committee. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002] Political party means an association, committee, or organization which nominates or selects a candidate for election to any Federal office, whose name appears on an election ballot as the candidate of the association, committee, or organization. (a) The term independent expenditure means an expenditure by a person for a communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or their agents, or a political party committee or its agents. A communication is “made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or their agents, or a political party committee or its agents” if it is a coordinated communication under 11 CFR 109.21 or a party coordinated communication under 11 CFR 109.37. (b) No expenditure by an authorized committee of a candidate on behalf of that candidate shall qualify as an independent expenditure. (c) No expenditure shall be considered independent if the person making the expenditure allows a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or their agents, or a political party committee or its agents to become materially involved in decisions regarding the communication as described in 11 CFR 109.21(d)(2), or shares financial responsibility for the costs of production or dissemination with any such person. [68 FR 451, Jan. 3, 2003] The term clearly identified means the candidate's name, nickname, photograph, or drawing appears, or the identity of the candidate is otherwise apparent through an unambiguous reference such as “the President,” “your Congressman,” or “the incumbent,” or through an unambiguous reference to his or her status as a candidate such as “the Democratic presidential nominee” or “the Republican candidate for Senate in the State of Georgia.” [60 FR 35304, July 6, 1995] Act means the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Pub. L. 92–225), as amended in 1974 (Pub. L. 93–443), 1976 (Pub. L. 94–283), 1980 (Pub. L. 96–187), and 2002 (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107–155). [67 FR 76975, Dec. 13, 2002] With respect to documents required to be filed under 11 CFR parts 101, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108, and 109, and any modifications or amendments thereto, the terms file, filed, and filing mean one of the actions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section. For purposes of this section, document means any report, statement, notice, or designation required by the Act to be filed with the Commission or the Secretary of the Senate. (a) Except for documents electronically filed under paragraph (c) of this section, a document is timely filed upon delivery to the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463; or the Secretary of the United States Senate, Office of Public Records, 119 D Street NE., Washington, DC 20510 as required by 11 CFR part 105, by the close of business on the prescribed filing date. (b) Timely filed. (1) A document, other than those addressed in paragraphs (c) through (g) of this section, is timely filed if: (i) Deposited: (A) As registered or certified mail in an established U.S. Post Office; (B) As Priority Mail or Express Mail, with a delivery confirmation, in an established U.S. Post Office; or (C) With an overnight delivery service and scheduled to be delivered the next business day after the date of deposit and recorded in the overnight delivery service's on-line tracking system; and (ii) The postmark on the document must be dated no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the filing date, except that pre-election reports must have a postmark dated no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the fifteenth day before the date of the election. (2) Documents, other than those addressed in paragraphs (c) through (g) of this section, sent by first class mail or by any means other than those listed in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section must be received by the close of business on the prescribed filing date to be timely filed. (3) As used in this paragraph (b) of this section and in 11 CFR 104.5, (i) Overnight delivery service means a private delivery service business of established reliability that offers an overnight (i.e., next business day) delivery option. (ii) Postmark means a U.S. Postal Service postmark or the verifiable date of deposit with an overnight delivery service. (c) Electronically filed reports. For electronic filing purposes, a document is timely filed when it is received and validated by the Federal Election Commission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the filing date. (d) 48-hour and 24-hour reports of independent expenditures—(1) 48-hour reports of independent expenditures. A 48-hour report of independent expenditures under 11 CFR 104.4(b) or 109.10(c) is timely filed when it is received by the Commission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the second day following the date on which independent expenditures aggregate $10,000 or more in accordance with 11 CFR 104.4(f), any time during the calendar year up to and including the 20th day before an election. (2) 24-hour reports of independent expenditures. A 24-hour report of independent expenditures under 11 CFR 104.4(c) or 109.10(d) is timely filed when it is received by the Commission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the day following the date on which independent expenditures aggregate $1,000 or more, in accordance with 11 CFR 104.4(f), during the period less than 20 days but more than 24 hours before an election. (3) Permissible means of filing. In addition to other permissible means of filing, a 24-hour report or 48-hour report of independent expenditures may be filed using a facsimile machine or by electronic mail if the reporting entity is not required to file electronically in accordance with 11 CFR 104.18. Political committees, regardless of whether they are required to file electronically under 11 CFR 104.18, may file 24-hour reports using the Commission's website's on-line program. (e) 48-hour statements of last-minute contributions. In addition to other permissible means of filing, authorized committees that are not required to file electronically may file 48-hour notifications of contributions using facsimile machines. All authorized committees that file with the Commission, including electronic reporting entities, may use the Commission's website's on-line program to file 48-hour notifications of contributions. See 11 CFR 104.5(f). (f) 24-hour statements of electioneering communications. A 24-hour statement of electioneering communications under 11 CFR 104.20 is timely filed when it is received by the Commission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard/Daylight Time on the day following the disclosure date. (See 11 CFR 104.20(a)(1) and (b)). In addition to other permissible means of filing, a 24-hour statement of electioneering communications may be filed using a facsimile machine or by electronic mail if the reporting entity is not required to file electronically in accordance with 11 CFR 104.18. (g) Candidate notifications of expenditures from personal funds. A candidate's notification of expenditures from personal funds under 11 CFR 400.21 or 400.22 is timely filed if it is received by facsimile machine or electronic mail by each of appropriate parties as set forth in 11 CFR 400.21 and 400.22 within 24 hours of the time the threshold amount as defined in 11 CFR 400.9 is exceeded and within 24 hours of the time expenditures from personal funds are made under 11 CFR 400.21 and 400.22. [67 FR 12839, Mar. 20, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 416, Jan. 3, 2003; 68 FR 3995, Jan. 27, 2003; 70 FR 13091, Mar. 18, 2005] Occupation means the principal job title or position of an individual and whether or not self-employed. Employer means the organization or person by whom an individual is employed, and not the name of his or her supervisor. Expressly advocating means any communication that—(a) Uses phrases such as “vote for the President,” “re-elect your Congressman,” “support the Democratic nominee,” “cast your ballot for the Republican challenger for U.S. Senate in Georgia,” “Smith for Congress,” “Bill McKay in '94,” “vote Pro-Life” or “vote Pro-Choice” accompanied by a listing of clearly identified candidates described as Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, “vote against Old Hickory,” “defeat” accompanied by a picture of one or more candidate(s), “reject the incumbent,” or communications of campaign slogan(s) or individual word(s), which in context can have no other reasonable meaning than to urge the election or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidate(s), such as posters, bumper stickers, advertisements, etc. which say “Nixon's the One,” “Carter '76,” “Reagan/Bush” or “Mondale!”; or (b) When taken as a whole and with limited reference to external events, such as the proximity to the election, could only be interpreted by a reasonable person as containing advocacy of the election or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidate(s) because— (1) The electoral portion of the communication is unmistakable, unambiguous, and suggestive of only one meaning; and (2) Reasonable minds could not differ as to whether it encourages actions to elect or defeat one or more clearly identified candidate(s) or encourages some other kind of action. [60 FR 35304, July 6, 1995] (a) As used in this section, and in part 300 of this chapter, (1) In connection with an election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot means: (i) The period of time beginning on the date of the earliest filing deadline for access to the primary election ballot for Federal candidates as determined by State law, or in those States that do not conduct primaries, on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on the date of the general election, up to and including the date of any general runoff. (ii) The period beginning on the date on which the date of a special election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot is set and ending on the date of the special election. (iii) Voter Identification and Get-Out-the-Vote Activities Limited to Non-Federal Elections. (A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, in connection with an election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot does not include any activity or communication that is in connection with a non-Federal election that is held on a date separate from a date of any Federal election and that refers exclusively to: (1) Non-Federal candidates participating in the non-Federal election, provided the non-Federal candidates are not also Federal candidates; (2) Ballot referenda or initiatives scheduled for the date of the non-Federal election; or (3) The date, polling hours and locations of the non-Federal election. (B) Paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section shall not apply to any activities or communications after September 1, 2007. (2) Voter registration activity means contacting individuals by telephone, in person, or by other individualized means to assist them in registering to vote. Voter registration activity includes, but is not limited to, printing and distributing registration and voting information, providing individuals with voter registration forms, and assisting individuals in the completion and filing of such forms. (3) Get-out-the-vote activity means contacting registered voters by telephone, in person, or by other individualized means, to assist them in engaging in the act of voting. Get-out-the-vote activity includes, but is not limited to: (i) Providing to individual voters information such as the date of the election, the times when polling places are open, and the location of particular polling places; and (ii) Offering to transport or actually transporting voters to the polls. (4) Voter identification means acquiring information about potential voters, including, but not limited to, obtaining voter lists and creating or enhancing voter lists by verifying or adding information about the voters' likelihood of voting in an upcoming election or their likelihood of voting for specific candidates. The date a voter list is acquired shall govern whether a State, district, or local party committee has obtained a voter list within the meaning of this section. (b) As used in part 300 of this chapter, Federal election activity means any of the activities described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section. (1) Voter registration activity during the period that begins on the date that is 120 calendar days before the date that a regularly scheduled Federal election is held and ends on the date of the election. For purposes of voter registration activity, the term “election” does not include any special election. (2) The following activities conducted in connection with an election in which one or more candidates for Federal office appears on the ballot (regardless of whether one or more candidates for State or local office also appears on the ballot): (i) Voter identification. (ii) Generic campaign activity, as defined in 11 CFR 100.25. (iii) Get-out-the-vote activity. (3) A public communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office, regardless of whether a candidate for State or local election is also mentioned or identified, and that promotes or supports, or attacks or opposes any candidate for Federal office. This paragraph applies whether or not the communication expressly advocates a vote for or against a Federal candidate. (4) Services provided during any month by an employee of a State, district, or local committee of a political party who spends more than 25 percent of that individual's compensated time during that month on activities in connection with a Federal election. (c) Exceptions. Federal election activity does not include any amount expended or disbursed by a State, district, or local committee of a political party for any of the following activities: (1) A public communication that refers solely to one or more clearly identified candidates for State or local office and that does not promote or support, or attack or oppose a clearly identified candidate for Federal office; provided, however, that such a public communication shall be considered a Federal election activity if it constitutes voter registration activity, generic campaign activity, get-out-the-vote activity, or voter identification. (2) A contribution to a candidate for State or local office, provided the contribution is not designated to pay for voter registration activity, voter identification, generic campaign activity, get-out-the-vote activity, a public communication, or employee services as set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section. (3) The costs of a State, district, or local political convention, meeting or conference. (4) The costs of grassroots campaign materials, including buttons, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, and yard signs, that name or depict only candidates for State or local office. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 8932, Feb. 22, 2006; 71 FR 14360, Mar. 22, 2006] Generic campaign activity means a public communication that promotes or opposes a political party and does not promote or oppose a clearly identified Federal candidate or a non-Federal candidate. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002] Public communication means a communication by means of any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mass mailing, or telephone bank to the general public, or any other form of general public political advertising. The term general public political advertising shall not include communications over the Internet, except for communications placed for a fee on another person's Web site. [71 FR 18612, Apr. 12, 2006] Mass mailing means a mailing by United States mail or facsimile of more than 500 pieces of mail matter of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30-day period. A mass mailing does not include electronic mail or Internet communications. For purposes of this section, substantially similar includes communications that include substantially the same template or language, but vary in non-material respects such as communications customized by the recipient's name, occupation, or geographic location. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002] Telephone bank means more than 500 telephone calls of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30-day period. A telephone bank does not include electronic mail or Internet communications transmitted over telephone lines. For purposes of this section, substantially similar includes communications that include substantially the same template or language, but vary in non-material respects such as communications customized by the recipient's name, occupation, or geographic location. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002] (a) Electioneering communication means any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication that: (1) Refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office; (2) Is publicly distributed within 60 days before a general election for the office sought by the candidate; or within 30 days before a primary or preference election, or a convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a candidate, for the office sought by the candidate, and the candidate referenced is seeking the nomination of that political party; and (3) Is targeted to the relevant electorate, in the case of a candidate for Senate or the House of Representatives. (b) For purposes of this section—(1) Broadcast, cable, or satellite communication means a communication that is publicly distributed by a television station, radio station, cable television system, or satellite system. (2) Refers to a clearly identified candidate means that the candidate's name, nickname, photograph, or drawing appears, or the identity of the candidate is otherwise apparent through an unambiguous reference such as “the President,” “your Congressman,” or “the incumbent,” or through an unambiguous reference to his or her status as a candidate such as “the Democratic presidential nominee” or “the Republican candidate for Senate in the State of Georgia.” (3)(i) Publicly distributed means aired, broadcast, cablecast or otherwise disseminated through the facilities of a television station, radio station, cable television system, or satellite system. (ii) In the case of a candidate for nomination for President or Vice President, publicly distributed means the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section are met and the communication: (A) Can be received by 50,000 or more persons in a State where a primary election, as defined in 11 CFR 9032.7, is being held within 30 days; or (B) Can be received by 50,000 or more persons anywhere in the United States within the period between 30 days before the first day of the national nominating convention and the conclusion of the convention. (4) A special election or a runoff election is a primary election if held to nominate a candidate. A special election or a runoff election is a general election if held to elect a candidate. (5) Targeted to the relevant electorate means the communication can be received by 50,000 or more persons— (i) In the district the candidate seeks to represent, in the case of a candidate for Representative in or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress; or (ii) In the State the candidate seeks to represent, in the case of a candidate for Senator. (6)(i) Information on the number of persons in a Congressional district or State that can receive a communication publicly distributed by a television station, radio station, a cable television system, or satellite system, shall be available on the Federal Communications Commission's Web site, http://www.fcc.gov. A link to that site is available on the Federal Election Commission's Web site, http://www.fec.gov. If the Federal Communications Commission's Web site indicates that a communication cannot be received by 50,000 or more persons in the specified Congressional district or State, then such information shall be a complete defense against any charge that such communication constitutes an electioneering communication, so long as such information is posted on the Federal Communications Commission's Web site on or before the date the communication is publicly distributed. (ii) If the Federal Communications Commission's Web site does not indicate whether a communication can be received by 50,000 or more persons in the specified Congressional district or State, it shall be a complete defense against any charge that a communication reached 50,000 or more persons when the maker of a communication: (A) Reasonably relies on written documentation obtained from the broadcast station, radio station, cable system, or satellite system that states that the communication cannot be received by 50,000 or more persons in the specified Congressional district (for U.S. House of Representatives candidates) or State (for U.S. Senate candidates or presidential primary candidates); (B) Does not publicly distribute the communication on a broadcast station, radio station, or cable system, located in any Metropolitan Area in the specified Congressional district (for U.S. House of Representatives candidates) or State (for U.S. Senate candidates or presidential primary candidates); or (C) Reasonably believes that the communication cannot be received by 50,000 or more persons in the specified Congressional district (for U.S. House of Representatives candidates) or State (for U.S. Senate candidates or presidential primary candidates). (7)(i) Can be received by 50,000 or more persons means— (A) In the case of a communication transmitted by an FM radio broadcast station or network, where the Congressional district or State lies entirely within the station's or network's protected or primary service contour, that the population of the Congressional district or State is 50,000 or more; or (B) In the case of a communication transmitted by an FM radio broadcast station or network, where a portion of the Congressional district or State lies outside of the protected or primary service contour, that the population of the part of the Congressional district or State lying within the station's or network's protected or primary service contour is 50,000 or more; or (C) In the case of a communication transmitted by an AM radio broadcast station or network, where the Congressional district or State lies entirely within the station's or network's most outward service area, that the population of the Congressional district or State is 50,000 or more; or (D) In the case of a communication transmitted by an AM radio broadcast station or network, where a portion of the Congressional district or State lies outside of the station's or network's most outward service area, that the population of the part of the Congressional district or State lying within the station's or network's most outward service area is 50,000 or more; or (E) In the case of a communication appearing on a television broadcast station or network, where the Congressional district or State lies entirely within the station's or network's Grade B broadcast contour, that the population of the Congressional district or State is 50,000 or more; or (F) In the case of a communication appearing on a television broadcast station or network, where a portion of the Congressional district or State lies outside of the Grade B broadcast contour— (1) That the population of the part of the Congressional district or State lying within the station's or network's Grade B broadcast contour is 50,000 or more; or (2) That the population of the part of the Congressional district or State lying within the station's or network's broadcast contour, when combined with the viewership of that television station or network by cable and satellite subscribers within the Congressional district or State lying outside the broadcast contour, is 50,000 or more; or (G) In the case of a communication appearing exclusively on a cable or satellite television system, but not on a broadcast station or network, that the viewership of the cable system or satellite system lying within a Congressional district or State is 50,000 or more; or (H) In the case of a communication appearing on a cable television network, that the total cable and satellite viewership within a Congressional district or State is 50,000 or more. (ii) Cable or satellite television viewership is determined by multiplying the number of subscribers within a Congressional district or State, or a part thereof, as appropriate, by the current national average household size, as determined by the Bureau of the Census. (iii) A determination that a communication can be received by 50,000 or more persons based on the application of the formula at paragraph (b)(7)(i)(G) or (H) of this section shall create a rebuttable presumption that may be overcome by demonstrating that— (A) One or more cable or satellite systems did not carry the network on which the communication was publicly distributed at the time the communication was publicly distributed; and (B) Applying the formula to the remaining cable and satellite systems results in a determination that the cable network or systems upon which the communication was publicly distributed could not be received by 50,000 persons or more. (c) The following communications are exempt from the definition of electioneering communication. Any communication that: (1) Is publicly disseminated through a means of communication other than a broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station. For example, electioneering communication does not include communications appearing in print media, including a newspaper or magazine, handbill, brochure, bumper sticker, yard sign, poster, billboard, and other written materials, including mailings; communications over the Internet, including electronic mail; or telephone communications; (2) Appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate. A news story distributed through a broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate is nevertheless exempt if the news story meets the requirements described in 11 CFR 100.132(a) and (b); (3) Constitutes an expenditure or independent expenditure provided that the expenditure or independent expenditure is required to be reported under the Act or Commission regulations; (4) Constitutes a candidate debate or forum conducted pursuant to 11 CFR 110.13, or that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum; or (5) Is paid for by a candidate for State or local office in connection with an election to State or local office, provided that the communication does not promote, support, attack or oppose any Federal candidate. See 11 CFR 300.71 for communications paid for by a candidate for State or local office that promotes, supports, attacks or opposes a Federal candidate. [67 FR 65210, 65217, Oct. 23, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 75717, Dec. 21, 2005] Personal funds of a candidate means the sum of all of the following: (a) Assets. Amounts derived from any asset that, under applicable State law, at the time the individual became a candidate, the candidate had legal right of access to or control over, and with respect to which the candidate had— (1) Legal and rightful title; or (2) An equitable interest; (b) Income. Income received during the current election cycle, as defined in 11 CFR 400.2, of the candidate, including: (1) A salary and other earned income that the candidate earns from bona fide employment; (2) Income from the candidate's stocks or other investments including interest, dividends, or proceeds from the sale or liquidation of such stocks or investments; (3) Bequests to the candidate; (4) Income from trusts established before the beginning of the election cycle as defined in 11 CFR 400.2; (5) Income from trusts established by bequest after the beginning of the election cycle of which the candidate is the beneficiary; (6) Gifts of a personal nature that had been customarily received by the candidate prior to the beginning of the election cycle, as defined in 11 CFR 400.2; and (7) Proceeds from lotteries and similar legal games of chance; and (c) Jointly owned assets. Amounts derived from a portion of assets that are owned jointly by the candidate and the candidate's spouse as follows: (1) The portion of assets that is equal to the candidate's share of the asset under the instrument of conveyance or ownership; provided, however, (2) If no specific share is indicated by an instrument of conveyance or ownership, the value of one-half of the property. [68 FR 3995, Jan. 27, 2003] Source: 67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The term contribution includes the payments, services, or other things of value described in this subpart. (b) For the purpose of this subpart, a contribution or payment made by an individual shall not be attributed to any other individual, unless otherwise specified by that other individual in accordance with 11 CFR 110.1(k). (a) A gift, subscription, loan (except for a loan made in accordance with 11 CFR 100.72 and 100.73), advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office is a contribution. (b) For purposes of this section, the term loan includes a guarantee, endorsement, and any other form of security. (1) A loan that exceeds the contribution limitations of 2 U.S.C. 441a and 11 CFR part 110 shall be unlawful whether or not it is repaid. (2) A loan is a contribution at the time it is made and is a contribution to the extent that it remains unpaid. The aggregate amount loaned to a candidate or committee by a contributor, when added to other contributions from that individual to that candidate or committee, shall not exceed the contribution limitations set forth at 11 CFR part 110. A loan, to the extent it is repaid, is no longer a contribution. (3) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, a loan is a contribution by each endorser or guarantor. Each endorser or guarantor shall be deemed to have contributed that portion of the total amount of the loan for which he or she agreed to be liable in a written agreement. Any reduction in the unpaid balance of the loan shall reduce proportionately the amount endorsed or guaranteed by each endorser or guarantor in such written agreement. In the event that such agreement does not stipulate the portion of the loan for which each endorser or guarantor is liable, the loan shall be considered a loan by each endorser or guarantor in the same proportion to the unpaid balance that each endorser or guarantor bears to the total number of endorsers or guarantors. (4) A candidate may obtain a loan on which his or her spouse's signature is required when jointly owned assets are used as collateral or security for the loan. The spouse shall not be considered a contributor to the candidate's campaign if the value of the candidate's share of the property used as collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the loan that is used for the candidate's campaign. (5) If a political committee makes a loan to any person, such loan shall be subject to the limitations of 11 CFR part 110. Repayment of the principal amount of such loan to such political committee shall not be a contribution by the debtor to the lender committee. Such repayment shall be made with funds that are subject to the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.20 and part 114. The payment of interest to such committee by the debtor shall be a contribution only to the extent that the interest paid exceeds a commercially reasonable rate prevailing at the time the loan is made. All payments of interest shall be made from funds subject to the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.4(a) and part 114. (c) For purposes of this section, the term money includes currency of the United States or of any foreign nation, checks, money orders, or any other negotiable instruments payable on demand. (d)(1) For purposes of this section, the term anything of value includes all in-kind contributions. Unless specifically exempted under 11 CFR part 100, subpart C, the provision of any goods or services without charge or at a charge that is less than the usual and normal charge for such goods or services is a contribution. Examples of such goods or services include, but are not limited to: Securities, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising services, membership lists, and mailing lists. If goods or services are provided at less than the usual and normal charge, the amount of the in-kind contribution is the difference between the usual and normal charge for the goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount charged the political committee. (2) For purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this section, usual and normal charge for goods means the price of those goods in the market from which they ordinarily would have been purchased at the time of the contribution; and usual and normal charge for any services, other than those provided by an unpaid volunteer, means the hourly or piecework charge for the services at a commercially reasonable rate prevailing at the time the services were rendered. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] The entire amount paid to attend a fundraiser or other political event and the entire amount paid as the purchase price for a fundraising item sold by a political committee is a contribution. The payment by any person of compensation for the personal services of another person if those services are rendered without charge to a political committee for any purpose, except for legal and accounting services provided under 11 CFR 100.74 and 100.75, is a contribution. No compensation is considered paid to any employee under any of the following conditions: (a) Paid on an hourly or salaried basis. If an employee is paid on an hourly or salaried basis and is expected to work a particular number of hours per period, no contribution results if the employee engages in political activity during what would otherwise be a regular work period, provided that the taken or released time is made up or completed by the employee within a reasonable time. (b) Paid on commission or piecework basis. No contribution results where an employee engages in political activity during what would otherwise be normal working hours if the employee is paid on a commission or piecework basis, or is paid only for work actually performed and the employee's time is considered his or her own to use as he or she sees fit. (c) Vacation or earned leave time. No contribution results where the time used by the employee to engage in political activity is bona fide, although compensable, vacation time or other earned leave time. The extension of credit by any person is a contribution unless the credit is extended in the ordinary course of the person's business and the terms are substantially similar to extensions of credit to nonpolitical debtors that are of similar risk and size of obligation. If a creditor fails to make a commercially reasonable attempt to collect the debt, a contribution will result. (See 11 CFR 116.3 and 116.4.) If a debt owed by a political committee is forgiven or settled for less than the amount owed, a contribution results unless such debt is settled in accordance with the standards set forth at 11 CFR 116.3 and 116.4. A gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value to a national party committee for the purchase or construction of an office building or facility is a contribution. (a) Treatment as contributions. A gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person in response to any communication is a contribution to the person making the communication if the communication indicates that any portion of the funds received will be used to support or oppose the election of a clearly identified Federal candidate. (b) Certain allocable solicitations. If the costs of a solicitation described in paragraph (a) of this section are allocable under 11 CFR 106.1, 106.6 or 106.7 as a direct cost of fundraising, the funds received in response to the solicitation shall be contributions as follows: (1) If the solicitation does not refer to any clearly identified non-Federal candidates, but does refer to a political party, in addition to the clearly identified Federal candidate described in paragraph (a) of this section, one hundred percent (100%) of the total funds received are contributions. (2) If the solicitation refers to one or more clearly identified non-Federal candidates, in addition to the clearly identified Federal candidate described in paragraph (a) of this section, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total funds received are contributions, whether or not the solicitation refers to a political party. (c) Joint fundraisers. Joint fundraising conducted under 11 CFR 102.17 shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section except that joint fundraising between or among authorized committees of Federal candidates and campaign organizations of non-Federal candidates is not subject to paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. [69 FR 68066, Nov. 23, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 75384, Dec. 20, 2005] Source: 67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The term contribution does not include payments, services or other things of value described in this subpart. (b) For the purpose of this subpart, a contribution or payment made by an individual shall not be attributed to any other individual, unless otherwise specified by that other individual in accordance with 11 CFR 110.1(k). (a) General exemption. Funds received solely for the purpose of determining whether an individual should become a candidate are not contributions. Examples of activities permissible under this exemption if they are conducted to determine whether an individual should become a candidate include, but are not limited to, conducting a poll, telephone calls, and travel. Only funds permissible under the Act may be used for such activities. The individual shall keep records of all such funds received. See 11 CFR 101.3. If the individual subsequently becomes a candidate, the funds received are contributions subject to the reporting requirements of the Act. Such contributions must be reported with the first report filed by the principal campaign committee of the candidate, regardless of the date the funds were received. (b) Exemption not applicable to individuals who have decided to become candidates. This exemption does not apply to funds received for activities indicating that an individual has decided to become a candidate for a particular office or for activities relevant to conducting a campaign. Examples of activities that indicate that an individual has decided to become a candidate include, but are not limited to: (1) The individual uses general public political advertising to publicize his or her intention to campaign for Federal office. (2) The individual raises funds in excess of what could reasonably be expected to be used for exploratory activities or undertakes activities designed to amass campaign funds that would be spent after he or she becomes a candidate. (3) The individual makes or authorizes written or oral statements that refer to him or her as a candidate for a particular office. (4) The individual conducts activities in close proximity to the election or over a protracted period of time. (5) The individual has taken action to qualify for the ballot under State law. Any cost incurred in covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial by any broadcasting station (including a cable television operator, programmer or producer), Web site, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, including any Internet or electronic publication, is not a contribution unless the facility is owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, in which case the costs for a news story: (a) That represents a bona fide news account communicated in a publication of general circulation or on a licensed broadcasting facility; and (b) That is part of a general pattern of campaign-related news accounts that give reasonably equal coverage to all opposing candidates in the circulation or listening area, is not a contribution. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 18613, Apr. 12, 2006] The value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee is not a contribution. No contribution results where an individual, in the course of volunteering personal services on his or her residential premises to any candidate or to any political committee of a political party, provides the use of his or her real or personal property to such candidate for candidate-related activity or to such political committee of a political party for party-related activity. For the purposes of this section, an individual's residential premises, shall include a recreation room in a residential complex where the individual volunteering services resides, provided that the room is available for use without regard to political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by such individual for the use of such room is not a contribution. No contribution results where an individual, in the course of volunteering personal services to any candidate or political committee of a political party, obtains the use of a church or community room and provides such room to any candidate for candidate-related activity or to any political committee of a political party for party-related activity, provided that the room is used on a regular basis by members of the community for noncommercial purposes and the room is available for use by members of the community without regard to political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by such individual for the use of such room is not a contribution. The cost of invitations, food and beverages is not a contribution where such items are voluntarily provided by an individual volunteering personal services on the individual's residential premises or in a church or community room as specified at 11 CFR 100.75 and 100.76 to a candidate for candidate-related activity or to any political committee of a political party for party-related activity, to the extent that: The aggregate value of such invitations, food and beverages provided by the individual on behalf of the candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election; and on behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year. [69 FR 68238, Nov. 24, 2004] The sale of any food or beverage by a vendor (whether incorporated or not) for use in a candidate's campaign, or for use by a political committee of a political party, at a charge less than the normal or comparable commercial rate, is not a contribution, provided that the charge is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor, to the extent that: The aggregate value of such discount given by the vendor on behalf of any single candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election; and on behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in a calendar year. (a) Transportation expenses. Any unreimbursed payment for transportation expenses incurred by any individual on behalf of any candidate or any political committee of a political party is not a contribution to the extent that: (1) The aggregate value of the payments made by such individual on behalf of a candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to a single election; and (2) The aggregate value of the payments made by such individual on behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in a calendar year. (b) Subsistence expenses. Any unreimbursed payment from a volunteer's personal funds for usual and normal subsistence expenses incidental to volunteer activity is not a contribution. The payment by a State or local committee of a political party of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a printed slate card, sample ballot, palm card, or other printed listing(s) of three or more candidates for any public office for which an election is held in the State in which the committee is organized is not a contribution. The payment of the portion of such costs allocable to Federal candidates must be made from funds subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. If made by a political committee, such payments shall be reported by that committee as disbursements, but need not be allocated in committee reports to specific candidates. This exemption shall not apply to costs incurred by such a committee with respect to the preparation and display of listings made on broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, and similar types of general public political advertising such as billboards. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a) and part 300, subpart B for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. Any payment made or obligation incurred by a corporation or a labor organization is not a contribution, if under the provisions of 11 CFR part 114 such payment or obligation would not constitute an expenditure by the corporation or labor organization. (a) General provisions. A loan of money to a political committee or a candidate by a State bank, a federally chartered depository institution (including a national bank) or a depository institution whose deposits and accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration is not a contribution by the lending institution if such loan is made in accordance with applicable banking laws and regulations and is made in the ordinary course of business. A loan will be deemed to be made in the ordinary course of business if it: (1) Bears the usual and customary interest rate of the lending institution for the category of loan involved; (2) Is made on a basis that assures repayment; (3) Is evidenced by a written instrument; and (4) Is subject to a due date or amortization schedule. (b) Reporting. Such loans shall be reported by the political committee in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(a) and (d). (c) Endorsers and guarantors. Each endorser or guarantor shall be deemed to have contributed that portion of the total amount of the loan for which he or she agreed to be liable in a written agreement, except that, in the event of a signature by the candidate's spouse, the provisions of 11 CFR 100.52(b)(4) shall apply. Any reduction in the unpaid balance of the loan shall reduce proportionately the amount endorsed or guaranteed by each endorser or guarantor in such written agreement. In the event that such agreement does not stipulate the portion of the loan for which each endorser or guarantor is liable, the loan shall be considered a contribution by each endorser or guarantor in the same proportion to the unpaid balance that each endorser or guarantor bears to the total number of endorsers or guarantors. (d) Overdrafts. For purposes of this section, an overdraft made on a checking or savings account of a political committee shall be considered a contribution by the bank or institution unless: (1) The overdraft is made on an account that is subject to automatic overdraft protection; (2) The overdraft is subject to a definite interest rate that is usual and customary; and (3) There is a definite repayment schedule. (e) Made on a basis that assures repayment. A loan, including a line of credit, shall be considered made on a basis that assures repayment if it is obtained using either of the sources of repayment described in paragraphs (e)(1) or (2) of this section, or a combination of paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this section: (1)(i) The lending institution making the loan has perfected a security interest in collateral owned by the candidate or political committee receiving the loan, the fair market value of the collateral is equal to or greater than the loan amount and any senior liens as determined on the date of the loan, and the candidate or political committee provides documentation to show that the lending institution has a perfected security interest in the collateral. Sources of collateral include, but are not limited to, ownership in real estate, personal property, goods, negotiable instruments, certificates of deposit, chattel papers, stocks, accounts receivable and cash on deposit. (ii) Amounts guaranteed by secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantors and cosigners, shall not exceed the contribution limits of 11 CFR part 110 or contravene the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.4, 110.20, part 114 and part 115; or (2) The lending institution making the loan has obtained a written agreement whereby the candidate or political committee receiving the loan has pledged future receipts, such as public financing payments under 11 CFR part 9001 through part 9012, or part 9031 through part 9039, contributions, or interest income, provided that: (i) The amount of the loan or loans obtained on the basis of such funds does not exceed the amount of pledged funds; (ii) Loan amounts are based on a reasonable expectation of the receipt of pledged funds. To that end, the candidate or political committee must furnish the lending institution documentation, i.e., cash flow charts or other financial plans, that reasonably establish that such future funds will be available; (iii) A separate depository account is established at the lending institution or the lender obtains an assignment from the candidate or political committee to access funds in a committee account at another depository institution that meets the requirements of 11 CFR 103.2, and the committee has notified the other institution of this assignment; (iv) The loan agreement requires the deposit of the public financing payments, contributions and interest income pledged as collateral into the separate depository account for the purpose of retiring the debt according to the repayment requirements of the loan agreement; and (v) In the case of public financing payments, the borrower authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to directly deposit the payments into the depository account for the purpose of retiring the debt. (3) If the requirements set forth in this paragraph are not met, the Commission will consider the totality of the circumstances on a case-by-case basis in determining whether a loan was made on a basis that assures repayment. (f) This section shall not apply to loans described in 11 CFR 100.73. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] (a) General provisions. Any loan of money derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate, including an overdraft made on a personal checking or savings account of a candidate, provided that: (1) Such loan is made in accordance with applicable law and under commercially reasonable terms; and (2) The person making such loan makes loans derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit in the normal course of the person's business. (b) Endorsers and guarantors. Each endorser, guarantor, or co-signer shall be deemed to have contributed that portion of the total amount of the loan derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate, for which he or she agreed to be liable in a written agreement, including a loan used for the candidate's routine living expenses. Any reduction in the unpaid balance of the loan, advance, or line of credit shall reduce proportionately the amount endorsed or guaranteed by each endorser or guarantor in such written agreement. In the event that such agreement does not stipulate the portion of the loan, advance, or line of credit for which each endorser, guarantor, or co-signer is liable, the loan shall be considered a contribution by each endorser or guarantor in the same proportion to the unpaid balance that each endorser, guarantor, or co-signer bears to the total number of endorsers or guarantors. However, if the spouse of the candidate is the endorser, guarantor, or co-signer, the spouse shall not be deemed to make a contribution if: (1) For a secured loan, the value of the candidate's share of the property used as collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the loan that is used for the candidate's campaign; or (2) For an unsecured loan, the amount of the loan used for in connection with the candidate's campaign does not exceed one-half of the available credit extended by the unsecured loan. (c) Routine living expenses. (1) A loan derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate, that is used by the candidate solely for routine living expenses, as described in 11 CFR 100.153, does not need to be reported under 11 CFR part 104 provided that the loan, advance, or line of credit is repaid exclusively from the personal funds of the candidate or payments that would have been made irrespective of the candidacy pursuant to 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6). (2) Any repayment, in part or in whole, of the loan, advance, or line of credit described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by the candidate's authorized committee constitutes the personal use of campaign funds and is prohibited by 11 CFR 113.2. (3) Any repayment or forgiveness, in part or in whole, of the loan, advance, or line of credit described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by a third party (other than a third party whose payments are permissible under 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)) or the lending institution is a contribution, subject to the limitations and prohibitions of 11 CFR parts 110 and 114, and shall be reported under 11 CFR part 104. (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the portion of any loan or advance from a candidate's brokerage account, credit card account, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit that is used for the purpose of influencing the candidate's election for Federal office shall be reported under 11 CFR part 104. (d) Repayment. The candidate's authorized committee may repay a loan from the candidate that is derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate, directly to the candidate or the original lender. The amount of the repayment shall not exceed the amount of the principal used for the purpose of influencing the candidate's election for Federal office and interest that has accrued on that principal. (e) Reporting. Loans derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate shall be reported by the candidate's principal campaign committee in accordance with 11 CFR part 104. A donation made to a non-Federal account of a State, local, or district party committee or organization in accordance with 11 CFR 300.35 for the purchase or construction of an office building is not a contribution. A donation includes a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value. Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of any political committee of a political party are not contributions if the person paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and such services are not attributable to activities that directly further the election of any designated candidate for Federal office. For purposes of this section, a partnership shall be deemed to be the regular employer of a partner. Amounts paid by the regular employer for such services shall be reported by the committee receiving such services in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(h). Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of an authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee are not contributions if the person paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and if such services are solely to ensure compliance with the Act or 26 U.S.C. 9001 et seq. and 9031 et seq. For purposes of this section, a partnership shall be deemed to be the regular employer of a partner. Amounts paid by the regular employer for these services shall be reported by the committee receiving such services in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(h). The payment by a state or local committee of a political party of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids or newsletters, and yard signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of any nominee(s) of such party is not a contribution, provided that the following conditions are met: (a) Exemption not applicable to general public communication or political advertising. Such payment is not for cost incurred in connection with any broadcasting, newspaper, magazine, bill board, direct mail, or similar type of general public communication or political advertising. For purposes of this paragraph, the term direct mail means any mailing(s) by a commercial vendor or any mailing(s) made from commercial lists. (b) Allocation. The portion of the cost of such materials allocable to Federal candidates must be paid from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subpart B for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. (c) Contributions designated for particular Federal candidates. Such payment is not made from contributions designated by the donor to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or candidates for Federal office. For purposes of this paragraph, a contribution shall not be considered a designated contribution if the party committee disbursing the funds makes the final decision regarding which candidate(s) shall receive the benefit of such disbursement. (d) Distribution of materials by volunteers. Such materials are distributed by volunteers and not by commercial or for-profit operations. For the purposes of this paragraph, payments by the party organization for travel and subsistence or customary token payments to volunteers do not remove such individuals from the volunteer category. (e) Reporting. If made by a political committee such payments shall be reported by the political committee as disbursements in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3 but need not be allocated to specific candidates in committee reports. (f) State candidates and their campaign committees. Payments by a State candidate or his or her campaign committee to a State or local political party committee for the State candidate's share of expenses for such campaign materials are not contributions, provided the amount paid by the State candidate or his or her committee does not exceed his or her proportionate share of the expenses. (g) Exemption not applicable to campaign materials purchased by national party committees. Campaign materials purchased by the national committee of a political party and delivered to a State or local party committee, or materials purchased with funds donated by the national committee to such State or local committee for the purchase of such materials, shall not qualify under this exemption. Rather, the cost of such materials shall be subject to the limitations of 2 U.S.C. 441a(d) and 11 CFR 109.32. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] (a) The payment by a candidate for any public office (including State or local office), or by such candidate's authorized committee, of the costs of that candidate's campaign materials that include information on or any reference to a candidate for Federal office and that are used in connection with volunteer activities (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, and yard signs) is not a contribution to such candidate for Federal office, provided that the payment is not for the use of broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, billboards, direct mail or similar types of general public communication or political advertising. (b) The payment of the portion of the cost of such materials allocable to Federal candidates shall be made from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. For purposes of this section, the term direct mail means any mailing(s) by commercial vendors or mailing(s) made from lists that were not developed by the candidate. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subparts D and E for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. The payment by a State or local committee of a political party of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by such committee on behalf of the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominee(s) of that party, is not a contribution to such candidate(s) provided that the following conditions are met: (a) Exemption not applicable to general public communication or political advertising. Such payment is not for the costs incurred in connection with any broadcasting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or similar type of general public communication or political advertising. For purposes of this paragraph, the term direct mail means any mailing(s) by a commercial vendor or any mailing(s) made from commercial lists. (b) Allocation. The portion of the costs of such activities allocable to Federal candidates is paid from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subpart B for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. (c) Contributions designated for particular Federal candidates. Such payment is not made from contributions designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or candidates for Federal office. For purposes of this paragraph, a contribution shall not be considered a designated contribution if the party committee disbursing the funds makes the final decision regarding which candidate(s) shall receive the benefit of such disbursement. (d) References to House or Senate candidates. For purposes of this section, if such activities include references to any candidate(s) for the House or Senate, the costs of such activities that are allocable to that candidate(s) shall be a contribution to such candidate(s) unless the mention of such candidate(s) is merely incidental to the overall activity. (e) Phone banks. For purposes of this section, payment of the costs incurred in the use of phone banks in connection with voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities is not a contribution when such phone banks are operated by volunteer workers. The use of paid professionals to design the phone bank system, develop calling instructions and train supervisors is permissible. The payment of the costs of such professional services is not an expenditure but shall be reported as a disbursement in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3 if made by a political committee. (f) Reporting of payments for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. If made by a political committee, such payments for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities shall be reported by that committee as disbursements in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3, but such payments need not be allocated to specific candidates in committee reports except as provided in 11 CFR 100.78(d). (g) Exemption not applicable to donations by a national committee of a political party to a State or local party committee for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. Payments made from funds donated by a national committee of a political party to a State or local party committee for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities shall not qualify under this exemption. Rather, such funds shall be subject to the limitations of 2 U.S.C. 441a(d) and 11 CFR 109.32. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002; 69 FR 68238, Nov. 24, 2004] Payments made to any party committee by a candidate or the authorized committee of a candidate as a condition of ballot access are not contributions. A gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made with respect to a recount of the results of a Federal election, or an election contest concerning a Federal election, is not a contribution except that the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.20 and part 114 apply. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] Funds provided to defray costs incurred in staging candidate debates in accordance with the provisions of 11 CFR 110.13 and 114.4(f) are not contributions. (a) Scope and definitions. (1) This section applies to all campaign travelers who use: (i) An airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation or hire under 14 CFR part 121, 129, or 135; (ii) Other means of transportation not operated for commercial passenger service; or (iii) An airplane or other means of transportation operated by a Federal, State, or local government. (2) Campaign travelers who use an airplane that is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation or hire under 14 CFR part 121, 129, or 135, or other means of transportation that is operated for commercial passenger service, such as a commercial airline flight, charter flight, taxi, or an automobile provided by a rental company, are governed by 11 CFR 100.52(a) and (d), not this section. (3) For the purposes of this section: (i) Campaign traveler means (A) Any individual traveling in connection with an election for Federal office on behalf of a candidate or political committee; or (B) Any member of the news media traveling with a candidate. (ii) Service provider means the owner of an airplane or other conveyance, or a person who leases an airplane or other conveyance from the owner or otherwise obtains a legal right to the use of an airplane or other conveyance, and who uses the airplane or other conveyance to provide transportation to a campaign traveler. For a jointly owned or leased airplane or other conveyance, the service provider is the person who makes the airplane or other conveyance available to the campaign traveler. (iii) Unreimbursed value means the difference between the value of the transportation service provided, as set forth in this section, and the amount of payment for that transportation service by the political committee or campaign traveler to the service provider within the time limits set forth in this section. (b) General rule. (1) No contribution is made by a service provider to a candidate or political committee if: (i) Every candidate's authorized committee or other political committee on behalf of which the travel is conducted pays the service provider, within the required time, for the full value of the transportation, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of this section, provided to all campaign travelers who are traveling on behalf of that candidate or political committee; or (ii) Every campaign traveler for whom payment is not made under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section pays the service provider for the full value of the transportation provided to that campaign traveler as determined in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of this section. See 11 CFR 100.79 and 100.139 for treatment of certain unreimbursed transportation expenses incurred by individuals traveling on behalf of candidates, authorized committees, and political committees of political parties; and (iii) Every member of the news media traveling with a candidate for whom payment is not made under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section pays the service provider for the full value of his or her transportation as determined in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of this section. (2) Except as provided in 11 CFR 100.79, the unreimbursed value of transportation provided to any campaign traveler, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of this section, is an in-kind contribution from the service provider to the candidate or political committee on whose behalf, or with whom, the campaign traveler traveled. (c) Travel by airplane. If a campaign traveler uses an airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation or hire under 14 CFR parts 121, 129, or 135, the campaign traveler, or the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted, must pay the service provider, no later than seven (7) calendar days after the date the flight began, for each such campaign traveler no less than the following amount for each leg of the trip: (1) In the case of travel between cities served by regularly scheduled first-class commercial airline service, the lowest unrestricted and non-discounted first-class airfare; (2) In the case of travel between a city served by regularly scheduled coach commercial airline service, but not regularly scheduled first-class commercial airline service, and a city served by regularly scheduled coach commercial airline service (with or without first-class commercial airline service), the lowest unrestricted and non-discounted coach airfare; or (3) In the case of travel to or from a city not served by regularly scheduled commercial airline service, the normal and usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable commercial airplane of sufficient size to accommodate all campaign travelers, including members of the news media traveling with a candidate, and security personnel, if applicable. (d) Other means of transportation. If a campaign traveler uses any other means of transportation, including an automobile, train, or helicopter, the campaign traveler, or the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted, must pay the service provider within thirty (30) calendar days after the date of receipt of the invoice for such travel, but not later than sixty (60) calendar days after the date the travel began, at the normal and usual fare or rental charge for a comparable commercial conveyance of sufficient size to accommodate all campaign travelers, including members of the news media traveling with a candidate, and security personnel, if applicable. (e) Government conveyances. (1) If a campaign traveler uses an airplane that is provided by the Federal government, or by a State or local government, the campaign traveler, or the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted, must pay the governmental entity: (i) For travel to or from a military airbase or other location not accessible to the general public, the lowest unrestricted and non-discounted first-class airfare to or from the city with regularly scheduled first-class commercial airline service that is geographically closest to the military airbase or other location actually used; or (ii) For all other travel, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. (2) If a campaign traveler uses a conveyance, other than an airplane, that is provided by the Federal Government, or by a State or local government, the campaign traveler, or the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted, must pay the government entity in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. (f) Date and public availability of payment rate. For purposes of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this section, the payment rate must be the rate available to the general public for the dates traveled or within seven (7) calendar days thereof. The payment rate must be determined by the time the payment is due under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section. (g) Preemption. In all respects, State or local laws are preempted with respect to travel in connection with a Federal election to the extent they purport to supplant the rates or timing requirements of 11 CFR 100.93. (h) Reporting. (1) In accordance with 11 CFR 104.13, a political committee on whose behalf the unreimbursed travel is conducted must report the receipt of an in-kind contribution and the making of an expenditure under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (2) When reporting a disbursement for travel services in accordance with this section, a political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted must report the actual dates of travel for which the disbursement is made in the “purpose of disbursement” field. (i) Recordkeeping. (1) For travel by airplane between cities served by regularly scheduled first-class or coach commercial airline service, or for travel to or from a military base on a government airplane, the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted shall maintain documentation of: (i) The service provider and tail number (or other unique identifier for military airplanes) of the airplane used; (ii) An itinerary showing the departure and arrival cities and the date(s) of departure and arrival, a list of all passengers on such trip, along with a designation of which passengers are and which are not campaign travelers; and (iii) The lowest unrestricted non-discounted airfare available in accordance with paragraphs (c), (e) and (f) of this section, including the airline offering that fare, flight number, travel service, if any, providing that fare, and the dates on which the rates are based. (2) For travel by airplane to or from a city not served by regularly scheduled commercial airline service, the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted shall maintain documentation of: (i) The service provider and the size, model, make and tail number (or other unique identifier for military airplanes) of the airplane used; (ii) An itinerary showing the departure and arrival cities and the date(s) of departure and arrival, a list of all passengers on such trip, along with a designation of which passengers are and which are not campaign travelers or security personnel; and (iii) The rate for the comparable charter airplane available in accordance with paragraph (c), (e) and (f) of this section, including the airline, charter or air taxi operator, and travel service, if any, offering that fare to the public, and the dates on which the rates are based. (3) For travel by other conveyances, the political committee on whose behalf the travel is conducted shall maintain documentation of: (i) The service provider and the size, model and make of the conveyance used; (ii) An itinerary showing the departure and destination locations and the date(s) of departure and arrival, a list of all passengers on such trip, along with a designation of which passengers are and which are not campaign travelers or security personnel; and (iii) The commercial fare or rental charge available in accordance with paragraph (d) and (f) of this section for a comparable commercial conveyance of sufficient size to accommodate all campaign travelers including members of the news media traveling with a candidate, and security personnel, if applicable. [68 FR 69593, Dec. 15, 2003] (a) When an individual or a group of individuals, acting independently or in coordination with any candidate, authorized committee, or political party committee, engages in Internet activities for the purpose of influencing a Federal election, neither of the following is a contribution by that individual or group of individuals: (1) The individual's uncompensated personal services related to such Internet activities; (2) The individual's use of equipment or services for uncompensated Internet activities, regardless of who owns the equipment and services. (b) Internet activities. For the purposes of this section, the term “Internet activities” includes, but is not limited to: Sending or forwarding electronic messages; providing a hyperlink or other direct access to another person's Web site; blogging; creating, maintaining or hosting a Web site; paying a nominal fee for the use of another person's Web site; and any other form of communication distributed over the Internet. (c) Equipment and services. For the purposes of this section, the term “equipment and services” includes, but is not limited to: Computers, software, Internet domain names, Internet Service Providers (ISP), and any other technology that is used to provide access to or use of the Internet. (d) Paragraph (a) of this section also applies to any corporation that is wholly owned by one or more individuals, that engages primarily in Internet activities, and that does not derive a substantial portion of its revenues from sources other than income from its Internet activities. (e) This section does not exempt from the definition of contribution: (1) Any payment for a public communication (as defined in 11 CFR 100.26) other than a nominal fee; (2) Any payment for the purchase or rental of an e-mail address list made at the direction of a political committee; or (3) Any payment for an e-mail address list that is transferred to a political committee. [71 FR 18613, Apr. 12, 2006] Source: 67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The term expenditure includes payments, gifts or other things of value described in this subpart. (b) For the purpose of this subpart, a payment made by an individual shall not be attributed to any other individual, unless otherwise specified by that other individual. To the extent that a payment made by an individual qualifies as a contribution, the provisions of 11 CFR 110.1(k) shall apply. (a) A purchase, payment, distribution, loan (except for a loan made in accordance with 11 CFR 100.113 and 100.114), advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office is an expenditure. (b) For purposes of this section, the term payment includes payment of any interest on an obligation and any guarantee or endorsement of a loan by a candidate or a political committee. (c) For purposes of this section, the term payment does not include the repayment by a political committee of the principal of an outstanding obligation that is owed by such committee, except that the repayment shall be reported as disbursements in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(b). (d) For purposes of this section, the term money includes currency of the United States or of any foreign nation, checks, money orders, or any other negotiable instrument payable on demand. (e)(1) For purposes of this section, the term anything of value includes all in-kind contributions. Unless specifically exempted under 11 CFR part 100, subpart E, the provision of any goods or services without charge or at a charge that is less than the usual and normal charge for the goods or services is an expenditure. Examples of such goods or services include, but are not limited to: Securities, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising services, membership lists, and mailing lists. If goods or services are provided at less than the usual and normal charge, the amount of the expenditure is the difference between the usual and normal charge for the goods or services at the time of the expenditure and the amount charged the candidate or political committee. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, usual and normal charge for goods means the price of those goods in the market from which they ordinarily would have been purchased at the time of the expenditure; and usual and normal charge for services, other than those provided by an unpaid volunteer, means the hourly or piecework charge for the services at a commercially reasonable rate prevailing at the time the services were rendered. A written contract, including a media contract, promise, or agreement to make an expenditure is an expenditure as of the date such contract, promise or obligation is made. An independent expenditure that meets the requirements of 11 CFR 104.4 or part 109 is an expenditure, and such independent expenditure is to be reported by the person making the expenditure in accordance with 11 CFR 104.4 and part 109. A payment, distribution, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by, or on behalf of, a national party committee for the purchase or construction of an office building or facility is an expenditure. Source: 67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The term expenditure does not include payments, gifts, or other things of value described in this subpart. (b) For the purpose of this subpart, a payment made by an individual shall not be attributed to any other individual, unless otherwise specified by that other individual. To the extent that a payment made by an individual qualifies as a contribution, the provisions of 11 CFR 110.1(k) shall apply. (a) General exemption. Payments made solely for the purpose of determining whether an individual should become a candidate are not expenditures. Examples of activities permissible under this exemption if they are conducted to determine whether an individual should become a candidate include, but are not limited to, conducting a poll, telephone calls, and travel. Only funds permissible under the Act may be used for such activities. The individual shall keep records of all such payments. See 11 CFR 101.3. If the individual subsequently becomes a candidate, the payments made are subject to the reporting requirements of the Act. Such expenditures must be reported with the first report filed by the principal campaign committee of the candidate, regardless of the date the payments were made. (b) Exemption not applicable to individuals who have decided to become candidates. This exemption does not apply to payments made for activities indicating that an individual has decided to become a candidate for a particular office or for activities relevant to conducting a campaign. Examples of activities that indicate that an individual has decided to become a candidate include, but are not limited to: (1) The individual uses general public political advertising to publicize his or her intention to campaign for Federal office. (2) The individual raises funds in excess of what could reasonably be expected to be used for exploratory activities or undertakes activities designed to amass campaign funds that would be spent after he or she becomes a candidate. (3) The individual makes or authorizes written or oral statements that refer to him or her as a candidate for a particular office. (4) The individual conducts activities in close proximity to the election or over a protracted period of time. (5) The individual has taken action to qualify for the ballot under State law. Any cost incurred in covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial by any broadcasting station (including a cable television operator, programmer or producer), Web site, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, including any Internet or electronic publication, is not an expenditure unless the facility is owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, in which case the cost for a news story: (a) That represents a bona fide news account communicated in a publication of general circulation or on a licensed broadcasting facility; and (b) That is part of a general pattern of campaign-related news account that give reasonably equal coverage to all opposing candidates in the circulation or listening area, is not an expenditure. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 18613, Apr. 12, 2006] Any cost incurred for activity designed to encourage individuals to register to vote or to vote is not an expenditure if no effort is or has been made to determine the party or candidate preference of individuals before encouraging them to register to vote or to vote, except that corporations and labor organizations shall engage in such activity in accordance with 11 CFR 114.4 (c) and (d). See also 11 CFR 114.3(c)(4). (a) General provision. Any cost incurred for any communication by a membership organization, including a labor organization, to its members, or any cost incurred for any communication by a corporation to its stockholders or executive or administrative personnel, is not an expenditure, except that the costs directly attributable to such a communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate (other than a communication primarily devoted to subjects other than the express advocacy of the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate) shall, if those costs exceed $2,000 per election, be reported to the Commission on FEC Form 7 in accordance with 11 CFR 104.6. (b) Definition of labor organization. For purposes of this section, labor organization means an organization of any kind (any local, national, or international union, or any local or State central body of a federation of unions is each considered a separate labor organization for purposes of this section) or any agency or employee representative committee or plan, in which employees participate and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or conditions of work. (c) Definition of stockholder. For purposes of this section, stockholder means a person who has a vested beneficial interest in stock, has the power to direct how that stock shall be voted, if it is voting stock, and has the right to receive dividends. (d) Definition of executive or administrative personnel. For purposes of this section, executive or administrative personnel means individuals employed by a corporation who are paid on a salary rather than hourly basis and who have policymaking, managerial, professional, or supervisory responsibilities. (1) This definition includes— (i) Individuals who run the corporation's business, such as officers, other executives, and plant, division, and section managers; and (ii) Individuals following the recognized professions, such as lawyers and engineers. (2) This definition does not include— (i) Professionals who are represented by a labor organization; (ii) Salaried foremen and other salaried lower level supervisors having direct supervision over hourly employees; (iii) Former or retired personnel who are not stockholders; or (iv) Individuals who may be paid by the corporation, such as consultants, but who are not employees, within the meaning of 26 CFR 31.3401(c)–(1), of the corporation for the purpose of the collection of, and liability for, employee tax under 26 CFR 1.3402(a)–(1). (3) Individuals on commission may be considered executive or administrative personnel if they have policymaking, managerial, professional, or supervisory responsibility and if the individuals are employees, within the meaning of 26 CFR 31.3401(c)–(1), of the corporation for the purpose of the collection of, and liability for, employee tax under 26 CFR 31.3402(a)–(1). (4) The Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201, et seq. and the regulations issued pursuant to such Act, 29 CFR part 541, may serve as a guideline in determining whether individuals have policymaking, managerial, professional, or supervisory responsibilities. (e) Definition of membership organization. For purposes of this section membership organization means an unincorporated association, trade association, cooperative, corporation without capital stock, or a local, national, or international labor organization that: (1) Is composed of members, some or all of whom are vested with the power and authority to operate or administer the organization, pursuant to the organization's articles, bylaws, constitution or other formal organizational documents; (2) Expressly states the qualifications and requirements for membership in its articles, bylaws, constitution or other formal organizational documents; (3) Makes its articles, bylaws, constitution or other formal organizational documents available to its members; (4) Expressly solicits persons to become members; (5) Expressly acknowledges the acceptance of membership, such as by sending a membership card or including the member's name on a membership newsletter list; and (6) Is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any individual for Federal office. (f) Definition of members. For purposes of this section, the term members includes all persons who are currently satisfying the requirements for membership in a membership organization, affirmatively accept the membership organization's invitation to become a member, and either: (1) Have some significant financial attachment to the membership organization, such as a significant investment or ownership stake; or (2) Pay membership dues at least annually, of a specific amount predetermined by the organization; or (3) Have a significant organizational attachment to the membership organization that includes: affirmation of membership on at least an annual basis and direct participatory rights in the governance of the organization. For example, such rights could include the right to vote directly or indirectly for at least one individual on the membership organization's highest governing board; the right to vote on policy questions where the highest governing body of the membership organization is obligated to abide by the results; the right to approve the organization's annual budget; or the right to participate directly in similar aspects of the organization's governance. (g) Additional considerations in determining membership. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section, the Commission may determine, on a case-by-case basis, that persons who do not precisely meet the requirements of the general rule, but have a relatively enduring and independently significant financial or organizational attachment to the organization, may be considered members for purposes of this section. For example, student members who pay a lower amount of dues while in school, long term dues paying members who qualify for lifetime membership status with little or no dues obligation, and retired members may be considered members of the organization. (h) Members of local unions. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section, members of a local union are considered to be members of any national or international union of which the local union is a part and of any federation with which the local, national, or international union is affiliated. (i) National federation structures. In the case of a membership organization that has a national federation structure or has several levels, including, for example, national, state, regional and/or local affiliates, a person who qualifies as a member of any entity within the federation or of any affiliate by meeting the requirements of paragraphs (f)(1), (2), or (3) of this section shall also qualify as a member of all affiliates for purposes of paragraphs (d) through (i) of this section. The factors set forth at 11 CFR 100.5(g)(2), (3) and (4) shall be used to determine whether entities are affiliated for purposes of this paragraph. (j) Non-applicability of state law in determining status of membership organizations. The status of a membership organization, and of members, for purposes of this section, shall be determined pursuant to paragraphs (d) through (i) of this section and not by provisions of state law governing unincorporated associations, trade associations, cooperatives, corporations without capital stock, or labor organizations. (k) Definition of election. For purposes of this section, election means two separate processes in a calendar year, to each of which the $2,000 threshold described above applies separately. The first process is comprised of all primary elections for Federal office, whenever and wherever held; the second process is comprised of all general elections for Federal office, whenever and wherever held. The term election shall also include each special election held to fill a vacancy in a Federal office (11 CFR 100.2(f)) or each runoff election (11 CFR 100.2(d)). (l) Definition of corporation. For purposes of this section, corporation means any separately incorporated entity, whether or not affiliated. (m) Reporting. When the aggregate costs under this section exceed $2,000 per election, all costs of the communication(s) shall be reported on the filing dates specified in 11 CFR 104.6, and shall include the total amount expended for each candidate supported. No expenditure results where an individual, in the course of volunteering personal services on his or her residential premises to any candidate or political committee of a political party, provides the use of his or her real or personal property to such candidate for candidate-related activity or to such political committee of a political party for party-related activity. For the purposes of this section, an individual's residential premises shall include a recreation room in a residential complex where the individual volunteering services resides, provided that the room is available for use without regard to political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by such individual for the use of such room is not an expenditure. No expenditure results where an individual, in the course of volunteering personal services to any candidate or political committee of a political party, obtains the use of a church or community room and provides such room to any candidate for candidate-related activity or to any political committee of a political party for party-related activity, provided that the room is used on a regular basis by members of the community for noncommercial purposes and the room is available for use by members of the community without regard to political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by such individual for the use of such room is not an expenditure. The cost of invitations, food, and beverages is not an expenditure where such items are voluntarily provided by an individual in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual's residential premises or in a church or community room as specified at 11 CFR 100.106 and 100.107 to a candidate for candidate-related activity or to a political committee of a political party for party-related activity, to the extent that: The aggregate value of such invitations, food and beverages provided by the individual on behalf of the candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election; and on behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year. The sale of any food or beverage by a vendor (whether incorporated or not) for use in a candidate's campaign, or for use by a political committee of a political party, at a charge less than the normal or comparable commercial charge, is not an expenditure, provided that the charge is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor, to the extent that: The aggregate value of such discount given by the vendor on behalf of any single candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election; and on behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in a calendar year. (a) Transportation expenses. Any unreimbursed payment for transportation expenses incurred by any individual on behalf of any candidate or political committee of a political party is not an expenditure to the extent that: (1) The aggregate value of the payments made by such individual on behalf of a candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to a single election; and (2) On behalf of all political committees of each political party does not exceed $2,000 in a calendar year. (b) Subsistence expenses. Any unreimbursed payment from a volunteer's personal funds for usual and normal subsistence expenses incident to volunteer activity is not an expenditure. The payment by a State or local committee of a political party of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a printed slate card, sample ballot, palm card, or other printed listing(s) of three or more candidates for any public office for which an election is held in the State in which the committee is organized is not an expenditure. The payment of the portion of such costs allocable to Federal candidates must be made from funds subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. If made by a political party committee, such payments shall be reported by that committee as disbursements, but need not be allocated in committee reports to specific candidates. This exemption shall not apply to costs incurred by such a committee with respect to the preparation and display of listings made on broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, and similar types of general public political advertising such as billboards. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subpart B for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. Any payment made or obligation incurred by a corporation or labor organization is not an expenditure if under the provisions of 11 CFR part 114 such payment or obligation would not constitute an expenditure by the corporation or labor organization. (a) General provisions. Repayment of a loan of money to a candidate or a political committee by a State bank, a federally chartered depository institution (including a national bank) or a depository institution whose deposits and accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration is not an expenditure by the lending institution if such loan is made in accordance with applicable banking laws and regulations and is made in the ordinary course of business. A loan will be deemed to be made in the ordinary course of business if it: (1) Bears the usual and customary interest rate of the lending institution for the category of loan involved; (2) Is made on a basis that assures repayment; (3) Is evidenced by a written instrument; and (4) Is subject to a due date or amortization schedule. (b) Reporting. Such loans shall be reported by the political committee in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(a) and (d). (c) Endorsers and guarantors. Each endorser or guarantor shall be deemed to have contributed that portion of the total amount of the loan for which he or she agreed to be liable in a written agreement, except that, in the event of a signature by the candidate's spouse, the provisions of 11 CFR 100.52(b)(4) shall apply. Any reduction in the unpaid balance of the loan shall reduce proportionately the amount endorsed or guaranteed by each endorser or guarantor in such written agreement. In the event that the loan agreement does not stipulate the portion of the loan for which each endorser or guarantor is liable, the loan shall be considered an expenditure by each endorser or guarantor in the same proportion to the unpaid balance that each endorser or guarantor bears to the total number of endorsers or guarantors. (d) Overdrafts. For the purpose of this section, repayment of an overdraft made on a checking or savings account of a political committee shall be considered an expenditure unless: (1) The overdraft is made on an account that is subject to automatic overdraft protection; and (2) The overdraft is subject to a definite interest rate and a definite repayment schedule. (e) Made on a basis that assures repayment. A loan, including a line of credit, shall be considered made on a basis that assures repayment if it is obtained using either of the sources of repayment described in paragraphs (e)(1) or (2) of this section, or a combination of paragraphs (e)(1) or (2) of this section: (1)(i) The lending institution making the loan has perfected a security interest in collateral owned by the candidate or political committee receiving the loan; the fair market value of the collateral is equal to or greater than the loan amount and any senior liens as determined on the date of the loan; and the candidate or political committee provides documentation to show that the lending institution has a perfected security interest in the collateral. Sources of collateral include, but are not limited to, ownership in real estate, personal property, goods, negotiable instruments, certificates of deposit, chattel papers, stocks, accounts receivable and cash on deposit. (ii) Amounts guaranteed by secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantors and cosigners, shall not exceed the contribution limits of 11 CFR part 110 or contravene the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.4, 110.20, part 114 and part 115; or (2) The lending institution making the loan has obtained a written agreement whereby the candidate or political committee receiving the loan has pledged future receipts, such as public financing payments under 11 CFR part 9001 through part 9012 or part 9031 through 9039, contributions, or interest income, provided that: (i) The amount of the loan(s) obtained the basis of such funds does not exceed the amount of pledged funds; (ii) Loan amounts are based on a reasonable expectation of the receipt of pledged funds. To that end, the candidate or political committee must furnish the lending institution documentation, i.e., cash flow charts or other financial plans, that reasonably establish that such future funds will be available; (iii) A separate depository account is established at the lending institution or the lender obtains an assignment from the candidate or political committee to access funds in a committee account at another depository institution that meets the requirements of 11 CFR 103.2, and the committee has notified the other institution of this assignment; (iv) The loan agreement requires the deposit of the public financing payments, contributions, interest or other income pledged as collateral into the separate depository account for the purpose of retiring the debt according to the repayment requirements of the loan; and (v) In the case of public financing payments, the borrower authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to directly deposit the payments into the depository account for the purpose of retiring the debt. (3) If the requirements set forth in paragraph (e) of this section are not met, the Commission will consider the totality of circumstances on a case-by-case basis in determining whether a loan was made on a basis that assures repayment. (f) This section shall not apply to loans described in 11 CFR 100.83 and 100.143. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] Repayment of a loan of money derived from an advance on a candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the candidate, as described in 11 CFR 100.83, is not an expenditure. A payment, distribution, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value, made by, or on behalf of, a State, local, or district party committee or organization for the purchase or construction of an office building in accordance with 11 CFR 300.35 is not an expenditure. Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of any political committee of a political party are not expenditures if the person paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and such services are not attributable to activities that directly further the election of any designated candidate for Federal office. For purposes of this section, a partnership shall be deemed to be the regular employer of a partner. Amounts paid by the regular employer for such services shall be reported by the committee receiving such services in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(h). Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of an authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee are not expenditures if the person paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering such services and if the services are solely to ensure compliance with the Act or 26 U.S.C. 9001 et seq. and 9032 et seq. For purposes of this section, a partnership shall be deemed to be the regular employer of a partner. Amounts paid by the regular employer for these services shall be reported by the committee receiving such services in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3(h). Expenditures for these services by a candidate certified to receive Primary Matching Funds under 11 CFR part 9034 do not count against such candidate's expenditure limitations under 11 CFR part 9035 or 11 CFR 110.8. Unless paid for with federal funds received pursuant to 11 CFR part 9005, disbursements for these services by a candidate who is certified to receive payments from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund under 11 CFR part 9005 do not count against that candidate's expenditure limitations under 11 CFR 110.8. The payment by a state or local committee of a political party of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids or newsletters, and yard signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of any nominee(s) of such party is not an expenditure, provided that the following conditions are met: (a) Exemption does not apply to general public communications or political advertising. Such payment is not for costs incurred in connection with any broadcasting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or similar type of general public communication or political advertising. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term direct mail means any mailing(s) by a commercial vendor or any mailing(s) made from commercial lists. (b) Allocation. The portion of the cost of such materials allocable to Federal candidates is paid from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. But see 11 CFR part 300 for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. (c) Contributions designated for Federal candidates. Such payment is not made from contributions designated by the donor to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or candidates for Federal office. For purposes of this paragraph, a contribution shall not be considered a designated contribution if the party committee disbursing the funds makes the final decision regarding which candidate(s) shall receive the benefit of such disbursement. (d) Distribution of materials by volunteers. Such materials are distributed by volunteers and not by commercial or for-profit operations. For the purposes of this paragraph, payments by the party organization for travel and subsistence or customary token payments to volunteers do not remove such individuals from the volunteer category. (e) Reporting. If made by a political party committee, such payments shall be reported by that committee as disbursements, in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3, but need not be allocated to specific candidates in committee reports. (f) State candidates and their campaign committees. Payments by a State candidate or his or her campaign committee to a State or local political party committee for the State candidate's share of expenses for such campaign materials are not expenditures, provided the amount paid by the State candidate or his or her committee does not exceed his or her proportionate share of the expenses. (g) Exemption not applicable to campaign materials purchased by national party committees. Campaign materials purchased by the national committee of a political party and delivered to a State or local party committee, or materials purchased with funds donated by the national committee to such State or local committee for the purchase of such materials, shall not qualify under this exemption. Rather, the cost of such materials shall be subject to the limitations of 2 U.S.C. 441a(d) and 11 CFR 109.32. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] The payment by a candidate for any public office (including State or local office), or by such candidate's authorized committee, of the costs of that candidate's campaign materials that include information on or any reference to a candidate for Federal office and that are used in connection with volunteer activities (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, and yard signs) is not an expenditure on behalf of such candidate for Federal office, provided that the payment is not for the use of broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, billboards, direct mail or similar types of general public communication or political advertising. The payment of the portion of the cost of such materials allocable to Federal candidates shall be made from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. For purposes of this section, the term direct mail means mailings by commercial vendors or mailings made from lists that were not developed by the candidate. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subparts D and E for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. The payment by a State or local committee of a political party of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by such committee on behalf of the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominee(s) of that party is not an expenditure for the purpose of influencing the election of such candidates provided that the following conditions are met: (a) Exemption not applicable to general public communication or political advertising. Such payment is not for the costs incurred in connection with any broadcasting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or similar type of general public communication or political advertising. For purposes of this paragraph, the term direct mail means any mailing(s) by a commercial vendor or any mailing(s) made from commercial lists. (b) Allocation. The portion of the costs of such activities allocable to Federal candidates is paid from contributions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Act. But see 11 CFR 100.24, 104.17(a), and part 300, subpart B for exempt activities that also constitute Federal election activity. (c) Contributions designated for Federal candidates. Such payment is not made from contributions designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or candidates for Federal office. For the purposes of this paragraph, a contribution shall not be considered a designated contribution if the party committee disbursing the funds makes the final decision regarding which candidate(s) shall receive the benefit of such disbursement. (d) References to House or Senate candidates. For purposes of this section, if such activities include references to any candidate(s) for the House or Senate, the costs of such activities that are allocable to that candidate(s) shall be an expenditure on behalf of such candidate(s) unless the mention of such candidate(s) is merely incidental to the overall activity. (e) Phone banks. For purposes of this section, payment of the costs incurred in the use of phone banks in connection with voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities is not an expenditure when such phone banks are operated by volunteer workers. The use of paid professionals to design the phone bank system, develop calling instructions and train supervisors is permissible. The payment of the costs of such professional services is not an expenditure but shall be reported as a disbursement in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3 if made by a political committee. (f) Reporting of payments for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. If made by a political committee, such payments for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities shall be reported by that committee as disbursements, in accordance with 11 CFR 104.3 but such payments need not be allocated to specific candidates in committee reports except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section. (g) Exemption not applicable to donations by a national committee of a political party to a State or local party committee for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. Payments made from funds donated by a national committee of a political party to a State or local party committee for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities shall not qualify under this exemption. Rather, such funds shall be subject to the limitations of 2 U.S.C. 441a(d) and 11 CFR 109.32. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002; 69 FR 68238, Nov. 24, 2004] Amounts transferred by a party committee to another party committee or payments made to the appropriate State official of fees collected from candidates or their authorized committees as a condition of ballot access are not expenditures. A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made with respect to a recount of the results of a Federal election, or an election contest concerning a Federal election, is not an expenditure except that the prohibitions of 11 CFR 110.20 and part 114 apply. [67 FR 50585, Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 78680, Dec. 26, 2002] (a) Costs incurred in connection with the solicitation of contributions. Any costs incurred by a candidate or his or her authorized committee(s) in connection with the solicitation of contributions are not expenditures if incurred by a candidate who has been certified to receive Presidential Primary Matching Fund Payments, or by a candidate who has been certified to receive general election public financing under 26 U.S.C. 9004 and who is soliciting contributions in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 9003(b)(2) or 9003(c)(2) to the extent that the aggregate of such costs does not exceed 20 percent of the expenditure limitation applicable to the candidate. These costs shall, however, be reported as disbursements pursuant to 11 CFR part 104. (b) Definition of in connection with the solicitation of contributions. For a candidate who has been certified to receive general election public financing under 26 U.S.C. 9004 and who is soliciting contributions in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 9003(b)(2) or 9003(c)(2), in connection with the solicitation of contributions means any cost reasonably related to fundraising activity, including the costs of printing and postage, the production of and space or air time for, advertisements used for fundraising, and the costs of meals, beverages, and other costs associated with a fundraising reception or dinner. (c) Limitation on costs that may be exempted. For a candidate who has been certified to receive Presidential Primary Matching Fund Payments, the costs that may be exempted as fundraising expenses under this section shall not exceed 20% of the overall expenditure limitation under 11 CFR 9035.1, and shall equal the total of: (1) All amounts excluded from the state expenditure limitations for exempt fundraising activities under 11 CFR 110.8(c)(2), plus (2) An amount of costs that would otherwise be chargeable to the overall expenditure limitation but that are not chargeable to any state expenditure limitation, such as salary and travel expenses. See 11 CFR 106.2. Payments by a candidate from his or her personal funds, as defined at 11 CFR 110.10(b), for the candidate's routine living expenses that would have been incurred without candidacy, including the cost of food and residence, are not expenditures. Payments for such expenses by a member of the candidate's family as defined in 11 CFR 113.1(g)(7), are not expenditures if the payments are made from an account jointly held with the candidate, or if the expenses were paid by the family member before the candidate became a candidate. Funds used to defray costs incurred in staging candidate debates in accordance with the provisions of 11 CFR 110.13 and 114.4(f) are not expenditures. (a) When an individual or a group of individuals, acting independently or in coordination with any candidate, authorized committee, or political party committee, engages in Internet activities for the purpose of influencing a Federal election, neither of the following is an expenditure by that individual or group of individuals: (1) The individual's uncompensated personal services related to such Internet activities; (2) The individual's use of equipment or services for uncompensated Internet activities, regardless of who owns the equipment and services. (b) Internet activities. For the purposes of this section, the term “Internet activities” includes, but is not limited to: Sending or forwarding electronic messages; providing a hyperlink or other direct access to another person's website; blogging; creating maintaining or hosting a website; paying a nominal fee for the use of another person's website; and any other form of communication distributed over the Internet. (c) Equipment and services. For the purposes of this section, the term “equipment and services” includes, but is not limited to: Computers, software, Internet domain names, Internet Service Providers (ISP), and any other technology that is used to provide access to or use of the Internet. (d) Paragraph (a) of this section also applies to any corporation that is wholly owned by one or more individuals, that engages primarily in Internet activities, and that does not derive a substantial portion of its revenues from sources other than income from its Internet activities. (e) This section does not exempt from the definition of expenditure: (1) Any payment for a public communication (as defined in 11 CFR 100.26) other than a nominal fee; (2) Any payment for the purchase or rental of an e-mail address list made at the direction of a political committee; or (3) Any payment for an e-mail address list that is transferred to a political committee. [71 FR 18613, Apr. 12, 2006]
Title 11: Federal Elections
PART 100—SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (2 U.S.C. 431)
Section Contents
§ 100.1 Scope.
§ 100.2 Election (2 U.S.C. 431(1)).
§ 100.3 Candidate (2 U.S.C. 431(2)).
§ 100.4 Federal office (2 U.S.C. 431(3)).
§ 100.5 Political committee (2 U.S.C. 431 (4), (5), (6)).
§ 100.6 Connected organization (2 U.S.C. 431(7)).
§§ 100.7-100.8 [Reserved]
§ 100.9 Commission (2 U.S.C. 431(10)).
§ 100.10 Person (2 U.S.C. 431(11)).
§ 100.11 State (2 U.S.C. 431(12)).
§ 100.12 Identification (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
§ 100.13 National committee (2 U.S.C. 431(14)).
§ 100.14 State committee, subordinate committee, district, or local committee (2 U.S.C. 431(15)).
§ 100.15 Political party (2 U.S.C. 431(16)).
§ 100.16 Independent expenditure (2 U.S.C. 431(17)).
§ 100.17 Clearly identified (2 U.S.C. 431(18)).
§ 100.18 Act (2 U.S.C. 431(19)).
§ 100.19 File, filed or filing (2 U.S.C. 434(a)).
§ 100.20 Occupation (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
§ 100.21 Employer (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
§ 100.22 Expressly advocating (2 U.S.C. 431(17)).
§ 100.23 [Reserved]
§ 100.24 Federal election activity (2 U.S.C. 431(20)).
§ 100.25 Generic campaign activity (2 U.S.C. 431(21)).
§ 100.26 Public communication (2 U.S.C. 431(22)).
§ 100.27 Mass mailing (2 U.S.C. 431(23)).
§ 100.28 Telephone bank (2 U.S.C. 431(24)).
§ 100.29 Electioneering communication (2 U.S.C. 434(f)(3)).
§§ 100.30-100.32 [Reserved]
§ 100.33 Personal funds.
§§ 100.34-100.50 [Reserved]
§ 100.51 Scope.
§ 100.52 Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.
§ 100.53 Attendance at a fundraiser or political event.
§ 100.54 Compensation for personal services.
§ 100.55 Extension of credit.
§ 100.56 Office building or facility for national party committees.
§ 100.57 Funds received in response to solicitations.
§ 100.71 Scope.
§ 100.72 Testing the waters.
§ 100.73 News story, commentary, or editorial by the media.
§ 100.74 Uncompensated services by volunteers.
§ 100.75 Use of a volunteer's real or personal property.
§ 100.76 Use of church or community room.
§ 100.77 Invitations, food, and beverages.
§ 100.78 Sale of food or beverages by vendor.
§ 100.79 Unreimbursed payment for transportation and subsistence expenses.
§ 100.80 Slate cards and sample ballots.
§ 100.81 Payments by corporations and labor organizations.
§ 100.82 Bank loans.
§ 100.83 Brokerage loans and lines of credit to candidates.
§ 100.84 Office building for State, local, or district party committees or organizations.
§ 100.85 Legal or accounting services to political party committees.
§ 100.86 Legal or accounting services to other political committees.
§ 100.87 Volunteer activity for party committees.
§ 100.88 Volunteer activity for candidates.
§ 100.89 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities for Presidential candidates.
§ 100.90 Ballot access fees.
§ 100.91 Recounts.
§ 100.92 Candidate debates.
§ 100.93 Travel by airplane or other means of transportation.
§ 100.94 Uncompensated Internet activity by individuals that is not a contribution.
§ 100.110 Scope.
§ 100.111 Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.
§ 100.112 Contracts, promises, and agreements to make expenditures.
§ 100.113 Independent expenditures.
§ 100.114 Office building or facility for national party committees.
§ 100.130 Scope.
§ 100.131 Testing the waters.
§ 100.132 News story, commentary, or editorial by the media.
§ 100.133 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities.
§ 100.134 Internal communications by corporations, labor organizations, and membership organizations.
§ 100.135 Use of a volunteer's real or personal property.
§ 100.136 Use of a church or a community room.
§ 100.137 Invitations, food, and beverages.
§ 100.138 Sale of food and beverages by vendor.
§ 100.139 Unreimbursed payment for transportation and subsistence expenses.
§ 100.140 Slate cards and sample ballots.
§ 100.141 Payment by corporations and labor organizations.
§ 100.142 Bank loans.
§ 100.143 Brokerage loans and lines of credit to candidates.
§ 100.144 Office building for State, local, or district party committees or organizations.
§ 100.145 Legal or accounting services to political party committees.
§ 100.146 Legal or accounting services to other political committees.
§ 100.147 Volunteer activity for party committees.
§ 100.148 Volunteer activity for candidate.
§ 100.149 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities for Presidential candidates.
§ 100.150 Ballot access fees.
§ 100.151 Recounts.
§ 100.152 Fundraising costs for Presidential candidates.
§ 100.153 Routine living expenses.
§ 100.154 Candidate debates.
§ 100.155 Uncompensated Internet activity by individuals that is not an expenditure.
Subpart A—General Definitions
top
§ 100.1 Scope.
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§ 100.2 Election (2 U.S.C. 431(1)).
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§ 100.3 Candidate (2 U.S.C. 431(2)).
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§ 100.4 Federal office (2 U.S.C. 431(3)).
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§ 100.5 Political committee (2 U.S.C. 431 (4), (5), (6)).
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§ 100.6 Connected organization (2 U.S.C. 431(7)).
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§§ 100.7-100.8 [Reserved]
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§ 100.9 Commission (2 U.S.C. 431(10)).
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§ 100.10 Person (2 U.S.C. 431(11)).
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§ 100.11 State (2 U.S.C. 431(12)).
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§ 100.12 Identification (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
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§ 100.13 National committee (2 U.S.C. 431(14)).
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§ 100.14 State committee, subordinate committee, district, or local committee (2 U.S.C. 431(15)).
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§ 100.15 Political party (2 U.S.C. 431(16)).
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§ 100.16 Independent expenditure (2 U.S.C. 431(17)).
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§ 100.17 Clearly identified (2 U.S.C. 431(18)).
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§ 100.18 Act (2 U.S.C. 431(19)).
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§ 100.19 File, filed or filing (2 U.S.C. 434(a)).
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§ 100.20 Occupation (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
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§ 100.21 Employer (2 U.S.C. 431(13)).
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§ 100.22 Expressly advocating (2 U.S.C. 431(17)).
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§ 100.23 [Reserved]
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§ 100.24 Federal election activity (2 U.S.C. 431(20)).
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§ 100.25 Generic campaign activity (2 U.S.C. 431(21)).
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§ 100.26 Public communication (2 U.S.C. 431(22)).
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§ 100.27 Mass mailing (2 U.S.C. 431(23)).
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§ 100.28 Telephone bank (2 U.S.C. 431(24)).
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§ 100.29 Electioneering communication (2 U.S.C. 434(f)(3)).
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§§ 100.30-100.32 [Reserved]
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§ 100.33 Personal funds.
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§§ 100.34-100.50 [Reserved]
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Subpart B—Definition of Contribution (2 U.S.C. 431(8))
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§ 100.51 Scope.
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§ 100.52 Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.
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§ 100.53 Attendance at a fundraiser or political event.
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§ 100.54 Compensation for personal services.
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§ 100.55 Extension of credit.
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§ 100.56 Office building or facility for national party committees.
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§ 100.57 Funds received in response to solicitations.
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Subpart C—Exceptions to Contributions
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§ 100.71 Scope.
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§ 100.72 Testing the waters.
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§ 100.73 News story, commentary, or editorial by the media.
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§ 100.74 Uncompensated services by volunteers.
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§ 100.75 Use of a volunteer's real or personal property.
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§ 100.76 Use of church or community room.
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§ 100.77 Invitations, food, and beverages.
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§ 100.78 Sale of food or beverages by vendor.
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§ 100.79 Unreimbursed payment for transportation and subsistence expenses.
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§ 100.80 Slate cards and sample ballots.
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§ 100.81 Payments by corporations and labor organizations.
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§ 100.82 Bank loans.
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§ 100.83 Brokerage loans and lines of credit to candidates.
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§ 100.84 Office building for State, local, or district party committees or organizations.
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§ 100.85 Legal or accounting services to political party committees.
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§ 100.86 Legal or accounting services to other political committees.
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§ 100.87 Volunteer activity for party committees.
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§ 100.88 Volunteer activity for candidates.
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§ 100.89 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities for Presidential candidates.
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§ 100.90 Ballot access fees.
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§ 100.91 Recounts.
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§ 100.92 Candidate debates.
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§ 100.93 Travel by airplane or other means of transportation.
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§ 100.94 Uncompensated Internet activity by individuals that is not a contribution.
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Subpart D—Definition of Expenditure (2 U.S.C. 431(9))
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§ 100.110 Scope.
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§ 100.111 Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.
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§ 100.112 Contracts, promises, and agreements to make expenditures.
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§ 100.113 Independent expenditures.
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§ 100.114 Office building or facility for national party committees.
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Subpart E—Exceptions to Expenditures
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§ 100.130 Scope.
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§ 100.131 Testing the waters.
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§ 100.132 News story, commentary, or editorial by the media.
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§ 100.133 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities.
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§ 100.134 Internal communications by corporations, labor organizations, and membership organizations.
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§ 100.135 Use of a volunteer's real or personal property.
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§ 100.136 Use of a church or a community room.
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§ 100.137 Invitations, food, and beverages.
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§ 100.138 Sale of food and beverages by vendor.
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§ 100.139 Unreimbursed payment for transportation and subsistence expenses.
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§ 100.140 Slate cards and sample ballots.
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§ 100.141 Payment by corporations and labor organizations.
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§ 100.142 Bank loans.
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§ 100.143 Brokerage loans and lines of credit to candidates.
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§ 100.144 Office building for State, local, or district party committees or organizations.
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§ 100.145 Legal or accounting services to political party committees.
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§ 100.146 Legal or accounting services to other political committees.
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§ 100.147 Volunteer activity for party committees.
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§ 100.148 Volunteer activity for candidate.
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§ 100.149 Voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities for Presidential candidates.
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§ 100.150 Ballot access fees.
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§ 100.151 Recounts.
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§ 100.152 Fundraising costs for Presidential candidates.
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§ 100.153 Routine living expenses.
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§ 100.154 Candidate debates.
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§ 100.155 Uncompensated Internet activity by individuals that is not an expenditure.
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