Info
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: National and state party committees must register with the FEC once they make contributions or expenditures in connection with federal elections that exceed $1,000 in a calendar year.
Ballot access for political parties is governed by state laws.
Source: Federal Electoral Commission (http://fec.gov/ans/answers_party.shtml) ;
https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/registering-political-party/qualifying-political-party/
Verified: 2024/10/15
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: To be a Senator, you must be at least 30 years old, be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and be a resident of the state you wish to represent at the time of the election.
Source: United States Constitution:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/qualifications_termsofservice.htm
Verified: 2024/10/15
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Federal Election Commission (www.fec.gov)
Verified: 2024/10/15
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments: "Under the presidential public funding program, eligible presidential candidates receive federal government funds to pay for the qualified expenses of their political campaigns in both the primary and general elections." This public funding can be used to "match the first $250 of each contribution from individuals that an eligible presidential candidate receives during the primary campaign and fund the major party nominees' general election campaigns (and assist eligible minor party nominees)."
In 2014, enacted legislation ended the public funding of conventions.
Source: https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/presidential-elections/public-funding-presidential-elections/
Verified: 2024/10/15
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
e . Other
Comments: To receive primary matching funds, presidential candidates must seek nomination from a party and raise more than $5,000 in at least 20 states from at least 20 contributors in each state. Presidential candidates must also limit campaign spending for all primary elections combined to $10 million plus a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA); limit campaign spending in each state to $200,000 plus COLA, or to a specified amount based on the number of voting age individuals in the state (plus COLA), whichever is greater; and limit spending from personal funds to $50,000. To qualify for primary matching funds, contributions must be deposited in the campaign account by December 31 of the election year. Eligible candidates may receive public funds equaling up to half of the national spending limit for the primary campaign.
For general elections, "to be eligible to receive public funds, the presidential nominee of a major party must agree to limit spending to the amount of the grant and may not accept private contributions for the campaign. Candidates may spend an additional $50,000 from their own personal funds, which does not count against the expenditure limit."
Once eligibility is established, the U.S. Treasury makes payments using the funds from the $3 tax checkoff.
Source: https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/presidential-elections/public-funding-presidential-elections/
Verified: 2024/10/15
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Political parties are able to receive private funding from certain specified sources.
Source: FEC: Who can and can't contribute:
https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/candidate-taking-receipts/who-can-and-cant-contribute/
Verified: 2024/10/15
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Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
