Defined term

Federal Election Campaign Act

Federal Election Campaign Act: Strict limits on the amount of money a particular corporation, union, or private individual could give to a candidate in a…

Also known as: FECA

Alternative names:
FECA
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Legal & Policy

Definition

Strict limits on the amount of money a particular corporation, union, or private individual could give to a candidate in a federal election. It also required candidates and political action committees (PACs) to disclose their receipts and identify their contributors. A 1974 amendment specified additional contribution limits and imposed spending limits for candidates in primary and general elections; however, the Supreme Court struck down the latter provision as unconstitutional in Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U. S. 1 (1976). The 1974 amendment also set up the Federal Election Commission and established public funding of presidential elections. Two additional amendments (1976, 1979) were aimed at regulating PACs and boosting the level of party participation.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

(FECA) Strict limits on the amount of money a particular corporation, union, or private individual could give to a candidate in a federal election. It also required candidates and political action committees (PACs) to disclose their receipts and identify their contributors. A 1974 amendment specified additional contribution limits and imposed spending limits for candidates in primary and general elections; however, the Supreme Court struck down the latter provision as unconstitutional in Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U. S. 1 (1976). The 1974 amendment also set up the Federal Election Commission and established public funding of presidential elections. Two additional amendments (1976, 1979) were aimed at regulating PACs and boosting the level of party participation.

Source: EAC Glossary of TermsType: standard

Sources

1
Glossary of Election Terms, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
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2
EAC Glossary of Terms
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3
EAC Glossary of Election Terms
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