PUBLIC FUNDING OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971; Revenue Act of 1971
1) Establishment of Federal Election Commission (FEC) composed of 6 Commissioners
(3 Democrats; 3 Republicans), one Commissioner, alternating political party affiliation,
appointed by the President and confirmed by Senate each year. Large staff of lawyers,
accountants, and others for compliance with the law.
2) Election Fund from $1 ($3) voluntary check off on federal income tax forms
a) CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION by raising $5,000 in 20 states [$100,000] in
increments of $250 or less. (Minor or Third Party candidates must contest the
General Election and receive 5% or more of the votes cast.)
b) PHASE 1 (NOMINATION PERIOD) $10 million (x COLA) in matched
contributions of $250 or less = $51.85 M in 2020.
c) PHASE 2 (NATIONAL CONVENTION) $4 million x COLA = $18.2 M in 2012,
but it was terminated by Congress on April 3, 2014.
d) PHASE 3 (GENERAL ELECTION) $20 million x COLA = $103.7 M in 2020.
3) Contribution Limits
a) Individuals: $2,400 x COLA per election = $2,800 in 2020 (with primary, runoff, and
general elections considered to be separate elections)
b) Political Action Committees (PACs): $5,000
c) $10,000 per calendar year to a state or local party committee
d) $30,000 per calendar year to a national party committee
e) $115,500 biennial (2 year) limit for total contributions to federal candidates and
federal political committees. Of the $115,500, an individual can contribute NO
MORE THAN $46,600 to candidates and $69,900 to all PACs and political parties
(no more than $45,600 of the $69,900 can be given to party committee that are not
national committees).
4) Volunteering in political campaigns
a) Personal Services, e.g., leaflet distribution, calling, etc. have NO LIMIT
b) Home Events: $1,000 per candidate; $2,000 per party committee per year
(husband and wife double the amounts).
c) Corporate/Union Facilities in connection with volunteer activity cannot interfere
with normal work and must be an incidental use (i.e., 4 hours per month).
d) Travel Expenses: $1,000 per election for candidate; $2,000 per year for political
party-related travel without making a contribution.