Campaign Finance Blog

“Twitter Becomes A Key Real-Time Tool For Campaigns”

William McGinley — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:04:58 +0000

The Washington Post published an interesting article concerning the role Twitter plays in campaigns and grassroots lobbying.

FEC Update

William McGinley — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:59:31 +0000

The Federal Election Commission released the Weekly Digest for the week of April 16-20, 2012.

I know it has been a while since my last post so here are some articles discussing the federal district court’s decision in Van Hollen v. FEC, one of the reformers’ efforts to impose greater regulations on political speakers.

Campaign Donor Advertising Rule Invalidated By U.S. Judge, Bloomberg

FEC Ruling Leaves Ad Uncertainty, Roll Call

Also, an interesting FEC advisory opinion request was filed by an organization called Free Speech. The request, identified as FEC AOR 2012-11, seeks guidance from the Commission regarding whether the organization is a political committee that is required to register and report to the FEC and whether specific ads constitute express advocacy. This is one to watch.

“Outside Groups Plan To Focus On Air War, Ground Game In 2012 Election Fight”

William McGinley — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:33:35 +0000

Interesting report from the Washington Post.

Committee on House Administration To Hold FEC Oversight Hearing

William McGinley — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:30:49 +0000

The Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration (“House Elections Committee”) is scheduled hold an oversight hearing on the Federal Election Commission on November 3, 2011. The link to the House Elections Committee webpage announcing the hearing can be found here.

“Political Advertising Data May Go Online”

William McGinley — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:17:32 +0000

Politico reports that the station information regarding political advertising may soon be available online. This has the potential to be an interesting development since it will make it easier for candidates, political parties, and outside groups to monitor everyone’s media buys.

“Presidential Campaigns Seek Fundraising’s Holy Grail: Mobile Donations”

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:43:04 +0000

The Huffington Post reports on the latest efforts to develop a platform that will permit campaigns to receive contributions via a contributor’s mobile device.

“ICANN Facing Growing Pressure Over New Domain-Name Plan”

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:35:23 +0000

National Journal reports on the push back by the business community regarding ICANN’s plan to expand the number of available domain names.

“Rules of the Game: Super PACs Multiply, Head To Hill”

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:28:12 +0000

Eliza Carney remains concerned about Super PACs and their role in the 2012 election.

“Campaigns Make Cash Off Donor Contact Information”

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:23:25 +0000

Roll Call reports on list rental income received by many federal campaigns.

“Ex-McCain Lawyer: Barack Obama ‘Mugged’ John McCain in 2008″

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:14:02 +0000

Politico provides further evidence that the pro-regulation community is losing patience with Obama administration.

“The G.O.P.’s Very Rapid Response Team”

William McGinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:07:48 +0000

The New York Times reports on the latest developments in the political messaging wars.

FEC Data Update

William McGinley — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:25:24 +0000

The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) made some substantial improvements to its website. Among the improvements are lists from the Press Shop on various topics such as each individual who filed a statement of candidacy for President of the United States, and other types of political committees that recently registered with the FEC. Listed below are links to a few of the lists:

New Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) Filers

2012 Presidential Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) Filers

2012 Independent Expenditure Filers

FEC News Update

William McGinley — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:09:42 +0000

The Federal Election Commission’s Weekly Digest for the week of August 8-12, 2011 is available here.

Republican FEC Commissioners Release Statement Of Reasons On Citizens United Rulemaking

William McGinley — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:59:11 +0000

The statement can be found here.

“Court Backs FEC On Disclosure”

William McGinley — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:47:03 +0000

Roll Call reports on the lower federal court decision in the Real Truth About Obama v. FEC case.