Post on 23-Mar-2018
transcript
Special Notices on Political Adsand Solicitations
Fede
ral E
lect
ion
Com
mis
sion
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
Chairman MichaelE.Toner
ViceChair RobertD.Lenhard
Commissioners DavidM.Mason
HansA.VonSpakovsky
StevenT.Walther
EllenL.Weintraub
StaffDirector PatrinaM.Clark
GeneralCounsel LawrenceH.Norton
Prepared by the Information Division
Director GregoryJ.Scott
Writer KatherineE.Carothers
Designer JamesLandonJones
FEC Building in downtown Washington, D.C.
�SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations
IntroductionThisbrochurehasbeendevelopedtohelpclarifytherulesrelatingtothefollowingtypesofspecialnotices:•Disclaimernotices;•Federalelectionpurposenotification;•Besteffortsnotifications;and•IRSdisclosurenotices.
Eachnoticemayberequired(asappropriate)whenpersonsfinancecommunicationsrelatedtofederalelectionsorsolicitfundsforfederalpoliticalcommittees.�Asection-by-sectionexplanationoftheserulesisprovidedwithin.
Pleasebeadvisedthatthisbrochureisnotintendedtoprovideanexhaustivediscussionregardingthisareaoftheelectionlaw.ThecitationsrefertotheFederalElectionCampaignAct(FECA),asamendedbytheBipartisanCampaignReformActof2002(BCRA),FederalElectionCommissionRegulations(��CFR)andAdvisoryOpinions(AOs).Ifyouhaveanyquestionsafterreadingthebrochure,pleasecontacttheFEC:
FederalElectionCommission999EStreet,NWWashington,DC20463(202)694-��00(local)(800)424-9530(tollfree)(202)2�9-3336(forthehearingimpaired)
�ThisbrochureservesasthesmallentitycomplianceguidetoCommissionregulationsregardingCommunicationsandSolicitations,asrequiredbysection2�2oftheSmallBusinessRegulatoryEnforcementFairnessActof�996,Pub.L.No.�04-�2�,TitleII,��0Stat.857(�996).
SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations2
Disclaimer Noticesbelow)andonanypubliccommunicationbyanypersonthatexpresslyadvocatestheelectionordefeatofaclearlyidentifiedcandidateorsolicitsfundsinconnectionwithafederalelection.
Application
Specificexamplesofpubliccommunicationsthatwouldrequireadisclaimerinclude:•Publiccommunicationscoordinatedwithafederalcandidate(i.e.,in-kindcontributionsorcoordinatedpartyexpenditures)thatarepaidforbyapoliticalcommitteeorthatcontainexpressadvocacyorasolicitation;
•Independentexpenditures;•Electioneeringcommunications;
•Acommunicationthatsolicitsfundsforafederalcandidateorafederalpoliticalcommitteeorthatcontainsexpressadvocacy;and•Politicalcommittees’websites.
Definitions
Public Communications
AsdefinedinFECregulations,theterm“publiccommunication”includes:•Broadcast,cableorsatellitetransmission;•Newspaper;•Magazine;•Outdooradvertisingfacility
(e.g.,billboard);•Massmailing(definedasmorethan500piecesofmailmatterofanidenticalorsubstantiallysimilarnaturewithinany30-dayperiod);
• Telephonebanks(definedasmorethan500telephonecallsofanidenticalorsubstantiallysimilarnaturewithinany30-dayperiod);or
• Anyothergeneralpublicpoliticaladvertising.GeneralpublicpoliticaladvertisingdoesnotincludeInternet
What is a Disclaimer Notice?Forthepurposeofthisbrochure,a“disclaimer”noticeisdefinedasastatementplacedonapubliccommunicationthatidentifiestheperson(s)whopaidforthecommunicationand,whereapplicable,theperson(s)whoauthorizedthecommunication.
When is a Disclaimer Required?
Basic Rule
Political Committees
Politicalcommitteesmustincludeadisclaimeron(�)all“publiccommunications”(definedbelow),(2)bulkelectronicemail(definedaselectronicmailwithmorethan500substantiallysimilarcommunications)and(3)websitesavailabletothegeneralpublic,regardlessofwhetherthecommunicationexpresslyadvocatestheelectionordefeatofaclearlyidentifiedcandidate,orsolicitsfundsinconnectionwithafederalelection(i.e.,contributionsforafederalcandidateorafederalpoliticalcommittee).2
Individuals and Other Persons
Adisclaimermustappearonany“electioneeringcommunication”(defined
2TheFECrecommendsplacingdisclaimernoticesonallcampaignmaterials
3SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations
thatmakestheexpenditure.Theseexpendituresaresubjecttoaspecialmonetarylimit.��CFR��0.��(d)(�).
Exempt Party Activities
Stateandlocalpartycommitteesmayengageincertaincandidate-supportactivitieswithoutmakingacontributionorexpenditureprovidedspecificrulesarefollowed.These“exempt”party
activitiesrefertothethreetypesofcommunicationslistedbelow:•Registrationandget-out-the-votedrivesonbehalfofthePresidentialticket;•Campaignmaterialsdistributedbyvolunteersonbehalfoffederalcandidates;and•Certainslatecards,sampleballotsandpalmcardslistingatleast3candidatesforpublicoffice(��CFR�00.80,�00.87and�00.89;�00.�40,�00.�47and�00.�49;and��CFR��0.��(e)).
What must the Disclaimer Say?Theactualwordingofthedisclaimerdependsonthetypeofcommunication,asexplainedbelow.Ineachexample,itispresumedthattheadqualifiesasa“publiccommunication”inconnectionwithafederalelection.
Messages Authorized and Financed by a CandidateOnapubliccommunicationthatisauthorizedandpaidforbyacandidateorhis/hercampaigncommittee,thedisclaimernoticemustidentifywhopaidforthemessage.��CFR��0.��(b)(�).
ads,exceptforcommunicationsplacedforafeeonanotherperson’swebsite(��CFR��0.��(a)).
Electioneering Communications
AsdefinedinFECregulations,an“electioneeringcommunication”isabroadcast,cableorsatellitecommunicationthatfulfillseachofthefollowingconditions:•Referstoaclearlyidentifiedfederalcandidate;
•Ispubliclydistributedwithin30daysbeforeaprimaryelectionorwithin60daysbeforeageneralelection;and
•InthecaseofCongressionalcandidatesonly,is“targetedtotherelevantelectorate”(canbereceivedby50,000ormorepersonsinthedistrictorstatethecandidateseekstorepresent)(��CFR�00.29).
Independent Expenditures
Anindependentexpenditureisanexpenditureforacommunicationthatexpresslyadvocatestheelectionordefeatofaclearlyidentifiedcandidateandisnotmadeincooperation,consultationorconcertwith,orattherequestorsuggestionof,anycandidate,authorizedcommitteeortheiragents,orapoliticalpartycommitteeoritsagents.��CFR�00.�6.
Coordinated Party Expenditures
Coordinatedpartyexpendituresareexpendituresmadebynationalorstatepartycommitteesonbehalfoftheirnomineesinconnectionwiththegeneralelection.Suchexpendituresmaybecoordinatedwiththecandidate,butarereportedonlybythepartycommittee
SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations4
Coordinated Party Expenditures
Pre-nomination Period
Onapubliccommunicationthatismadeasacoordinatedpartyexpenditurebeforeanomineeischosen,thedisclaimernoticemustidentifythecommitteethatpaidforthemessage,butneednotstatewhetherthecommunicationwasauthorized.��CFR��0.��(d)(�).
Example: “Paid for by XYZ State Party Committee.”
Post-nomination Period
Onceacandidatehasbeennominatedforthegeneralelection,thedisclaimernoticemustalsostatewhoauthorizedthecommunication.
Example: “Paid for by the XYZ State Party Committee and authorized by the Sheridan for Congress Committee.”
Example: “Paid for by the Sheridan for Congress Committee.”
Messages Authorized but Not Financed by a CandidateOnapubliccommunicationthatisauthorizedbyacandidateorhis/hercampaigncommittee,butispaidforbyanotherperson,thedisclaimernoticemustidentifywhopaidforthecommunicationandindicatethatthecandidateauthorizedthemessage.��CFR��0.��(b)(2).
Example: “Paid for by the XYZ State Party Committee and authorized by the Sheridan for Congress Committee.”�
Messages Not Authorized by a CandidateOnapubliccommunicationthatisnotauthorizedbyacandidateorhis/hercampaigncommittee,thedisclaimernoticemustidentifywhopaidforthemessage,statethatitwasnotauthorizedbyanycandidateorcandidate’scommitteeandlistthepermanentstreetaddress,telephonenumberorWorldWideWebaddressofthepersonwhopaidforthecommunication.��CFR��0.��(b)(3).
Example: “Paid for by the QRS Committee (www.QRScommittee.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.”
3Pleasenotethatforcommunicationslistingseveralcandidates,thedisclaimernoticemaystatethatthemessagewasauthorizedbythecandidatesidentifiedinthemessageor,ifonlycertaincandidateshaveauthorizedit,bythosecandidatesidentifiedwithanasterisk(AO2004-37).
5SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations
Paid for by the Save the Seahorses Committee and
authorized by the McKay for Senate Committee.
Thecommitteethatactuallymakestheexpenditureisconsideredtobethepersonwhopaidforthepubliccommunicationevenwhenthecommitteeisactingasthedesignatedagentofadifferentpartycommittee.
Exempt Party ActivitiesOnexemptactivitycommunications(forexample,campaignmaterials)thedisclaimernoticemustidentifythecommitteethatpaidforthemessage.��CFR��0.��(e).Example:“PaidforbytheXYZStatePartyCommittee.”
How and Where must the Disclaimer Appear? Inordertogivethereadersufficientnoticeabouttheperson(s)payingfororauthorizingapubliccommunicationregardlessofitsmedium,thedisclaimernoticemustbe“clearandconspicuous”onthecommittee’scommunications,solicitationsandresponsematerials.Thenoticewillnotbeconsideredtobe“clearandconspicuous”if:• Itisdifficulttoreadorhear;or• Thenotificationisplacedwhereitcanbeeasilyoverlooked(��CFR��0.��(c)(�)).
Additionalrequirementsaredescribedbelow.
Printed Materials
Onprintedmaterials,thedisclaimernoticemustappearwithinaprintedboxsetapartfromtheothercontentsinthecommunication.Theprintmustbeofasufficienttype-sizetobeclearlyreadablebytherecipientofthecommunication,andtheprintmusthaveareasonabledegreeofcolorcontrastbetweenthebackgroundandtheprintedstatement.��CFR��0.��(c)(2)(i),(ii)and(iii).
Example:
Aslongasthedisclaimerappearssomewherewithinthecommunicationitdoesnothavetoappearonthefrontpageorcoverofmultiple-pageddocuments.However,inthecaseofsingle-sideddocumentsandbillboards,thedisclaimermustappearonthefront.��CFR��0.��(c)(2)(iv).
Safe Harbor for “Clearly Readable”
Theregulationscontainasafeharborthatestablishesafixed,�2-pointtypesizeasasufficienttypesizefordisclaimertextinnewspapers,magazines,flyers,signsandotherprintedcommunicationsthatarenolargerthanthecommonpostersizeof24inchesby36inches.��CFR��0.��(c)(2)(i).Pleasenote,disclaimersforlargercommunicationswillbejudgedonacase-by-casebasis.
Safe Harbor for “Reasonable Degree of Color Contrast.”
Theregulationsadditionallyprovidetwosafeharborexamplesthatwouldcomplywithcolorcontrastrequirement:• Thedisclaimerisprintedinblackonawhitebackground;or
• Thedegreeofcontrastbetweenthebackgroundcolorandthedisclaimertextcolorisatleastasgreatasthedegreeofcontrastbetweenthebackgroundcolorandthecolorofthelargesttextinthecommunication(��CFR��0.��(c)(2)(iii)).4
4Theseexamplesdonotconstitutetheonlywaystosatisfythecolorcontrastrequirement.
SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations6
Packaged Materials Whencommunicationsaredistributedinapackageorasagroup,thedistributingentitymustevaluateeachitemseparatelyinordertodeterminewhetheradisclaimernoticeisrequiredonthatitem.Amessageoradthatwouldrequireadisclaimernoticeifitweredistributedseparatelymuststilldisplaythenoticewhenitisincludedinapackageofmaterials.��CFR��0.��(c)(2)(v).
Example: A campaign poster is mailed with a campaign brochure and solicitation letter. A disclaimer notice must appear on each of these items.
Radio and Television Communications Authorized by the Candidate
Radio
Aradiobroadcastmustincludeanaudiostatementthatisspokenbythecandidate.Thestatementmustidentifythecandidate,andstatethatheorshehasapprovedthecommunication.��CFR��0.��(c)(3)(i).
Television
Likeradiobroadcasts,televisedcommunicationsmustincludeanoraldisclaimerspokenbythecandidateinwhichthecandidateidentifieshimself
orherselfandstatesthatheorshehasapprovedthecommunication.��CFR��0.��(c)(3)(ii).5
Thisdisclaimercanbeconveyedinoneoftwoways:• Afull-screenviewofthecandidatemakingthestatement(��CFR��0.��(c)(3)(ii)(A));or
• A“clearlyidentifiablephotographicorsimilarimageofthecandidate”thatappearsduringthecandidate’svoice-overstatement(��CFR��0.��(c)(3)(ii)(B)).
Thecommunicationmustalsoincludea“clearlyreadable”writtenstatementthatappearsattheendofthecommunication“foraperiodofatleastfourseconds”witha“reasonabledegreeofcolorcontrast”betweenthebackgroundandthedisclaimerstatement.��CFR��0.��(c)(3)(iii).
Radio and Television Messages Not Authorized by the Candidate
Radio
Thedisclaimernoticemustincludethenameofthepoliticalcommitteeorpersonresponsibleforthecommunicationandanyconnectedorganization.
Example: “ABC is responsible for the content of this advertising.” 11 CFR 110.11(c)(4)(i).
Television
Thedisclaimerdescribedabovemustbeconveyedbya“full-screenviewofarepresentativeofthepoliticalcommitteeorotherpersonmakingthestatement,”ora“voice-over”bytherepresentative.��CFR��0.��(c)(4)(i)(ii)and2U.S.C.44�d(d)(2).
Thedisclaimerstatementmustalsoappearinwritingattheendofthecommunicationina“clearlyreadable
5Foradditionalinformationonbroadcastadvertising(e.g.,radio,TV),pleasecontacttheFederalCommunicationsCommissionat(202)4�8-�440or(202)4�8-7096(forcablebroadcasts).
7SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations
Additional Statements Required in Fundraising Solicitations
Federal Election Purpose NotificationInordertodepositundesignatedcontributionsintoitsfederalaccount,afederalcommitteemustinformdonorsthattheircontributionswillbeusedinconnectionwithfederalelectionsorthattheyaresubjecttothelimitsandprohibitionsoftheAct.Thecommitteemaysatisfythisrequirementbyincludingthatinformationinitssolicitationmaterials.��CFR�02.5(a)(2)(ii)and(iii).
“Best Efforts” NotificationUndertheActandFECregulations,politicalcommitteesmustreportthename,address,occupationandemployerofanyindividualwhocontributesmorethan$200inacalendaryear(orinanelectioncycle,inthecase
manner”witha“reasonabledegreeofcolor”contrastbetweenthebackgroundandtheprintedstatement“foraperiodofatleastfourseconds.”��CFR��0.��(c)(4)(iii).
When is a Disclaimer Not Required?AlthoughtheFECrecommendsthatdisclaimernoticesbeincludedonallcampaignmaterials,thenoticesarenotrequiredinthefollowingsituations.
Disclaimer Placement is InconvenientInsituationswhereadisclaimernoticecannotbeconvenientlyprinted,thenoticeisnotrequired.Thisprovisionaffectsitemssuchaspens,bumperstickers,campaignpins,campaignbuttonsandsimilarsmallitems.Further,adisclaimernoticeisnotrequiredforcommunicationsusingskywriting,clothing,watertowersorotherformsofadvertisementwhereitwouldbeimpracticabletodisplaythedisclaimernotice.��CFR��0.��(f)(�)(i)and(ii)(SeealsoAO2002-9.)
Internal Corporate/Labor CommunicationsAdisclaimernoticeisnotrequiredforsolicitationsorcommunicationsmadebyaseparatesegregatedfundorconnectedorganizationtoits“restrictedclass.”6��CFR��0.��(f)(2).
Materials Used for Administrative Purposes OnlyAdisclaimernoticeisnotrequiredonchecks,receiptsorsimilaritemsofminimalvaluethatdonotincludeapoliticalmessageandareusedonlyforadministrativepurposes.��CFR��0.��(f)(�)(iii).
6Therestrictedclassincludestheexecutiveandadministrativepersonneloftheorganization,itsstockholders,oritsmembers(noncorporate),andtheirfamilies.See��CFR��4.�(j).Seealso��CFR��4.5(g)(�)and(2);��4.7(a)and(c).
SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations8
ofanauthorizedcommittee)(��CFR�04.3(a)(4)).Committeesmustmaketheir“bestefforts”toobtainandreportthisinformation.
Tosatisfythe“bestefforts”requirement,apoliticalcommitteemustincludeastatementonitssolicitationsexplainingthatitisrequiredtomakeitsbesteffortstoobtainandreportcontributorinformation.Thisstatementisreferredtoasthe“bestefforts”notification;twoexamplesarelistedbelow:•Federallawrequiresustouseourbesteffortstocollectandreportthename,mailingaddress,occupationandnameofemployerofindividualswhosecontributionsexceed$200inacalendaryear,or
•TocomplywithFederallaw,wemustuseourbesteffortstoobtain,maintain,andsubmitthename,mailingaddress,occupationandnameofemployerofindividualswhosecontributionsexceed$200percalendaryear.
Ifthecommitteedoesnotreceivetherequiredcontributorinformation,itmustmakeafollow-uprequestwithin30days.AnycontributorinformationprovidedorotherwiseavailabletothecommitteemustbedisclosedonFECreports.Insomecases,itmaybenecessaryforthecommitteetoamendpreviousreports.��CFR�04.7.
IRS Disclosure RequirementsUndertheInternalRevenueServiceCode(26U.S.C.§6��3),certaintax-exemptorganizationsthatarenoteligibletoreceivetaxdeductiblecharitablecontributions,andwhosegrossannualreceiptsnormallyexceed$�00,000,mustdiscloseinan“expressstatement(inaconspicuousandeasilyrecognizableformat)”thatcontributionstotheorganizationarenotdeductibleforFederalincometaxpurposesascharitablecontributions.Formoreinformation,contacttheIRSat(877)829-5500,(202)622-7352orviawebsiteathttp://www.irs.gov/charities/political/index.html.
Safe Harbor for “Format of Disclosure Statement”
Print Medium
Inthecaseofasolicitationbymail,leaflet,oradvertisementinanewspaper,magazineorotherprintmedium,thefollowingfourrequirementsaremet;• Thesolicitationincludeswhicheverofthefollowingstatementstheorganizationdeemsappropriate:»“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenotdeductibleascharitablecontributionsforFederalincometaxpurposes,”
» “Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductible,”or
» “Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductibleascharitablecontributions”;
• Thestatementisinatleastthesamesizetypeastheprimarymessagestatedinthebodyoftheletter,leafletorad;
• Thestatementisincludedonthemessagesideofanycardortearoffsectionthatthecontributorreturnswiththecontribution;and
• Thestatementiseitherthefirstsentenceinaparagraphoritselfconstitutesaparagraph.
9SpecialNoticesonPoliticalAdsandSolicitations
TelephoneInthecaseofsolicitationbytelephonethefollowingthreerequirementsaremet:
• Thesolicitationincludeswhicheverofthefollowingstatementstheorganizationdeemsappropriate:o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenotdeductibleascharitablecontributionsforFederalincometaxpurposes,”
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductible,”or
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductibleascharitablecontributions”;
• Thestatementismadeincloseproximitytotherequestforcontributions,duringthesametelephonecall,bythetelephonesolicitor;and
• AnywrittenconfirmationorbillingsenttoapersonpledgingtocontributeduringthetelephonesolicitationcomplieswiththerequirementsunderPrintMediumSolicitations.
Television
Inthecaseofsolicitationbytelevisionthefollowingtworequirementsaremet:• Thesolicitationincludeswhicheverthefollowingstatementstheorganizationdeemsappropriate:o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenotdeductibleascharitablecontributionsforFederalincometaxpurposes,”
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductible,”or
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductibleascharitablecontributions”;
• Ifthestatementisspoken,itisincloseproximitytotherequestforcontributions;ifthestatementappearsonthetelevisionscreen,itisinlargeeasilyreadabletypeappearingonthescreenforatleastfiveseconds.
Radio
Inthecaseofasolicitationbyradiothefollowingtworequirementsaremet:• Thesolicitationincludeswhicheverofthefollowingstatementstheorganizationdeemsappropriate:o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenotdeductibleascharitablecontributionsforFederalincometaxpurposes,”
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductible,”or
o“Contributionsorgiftsto[nameoforganization]arenottaxdeductibleascharitablecontributions”;
• Thestatementismadeincloseproximitytotherequestforcontributionsduringthesameradiosolicitationannouncement.
ThesesafeharborswillremainineffectuntilfurthernoticefromtheIRS.PleaserefertotheIRSeitherviatheirwebsiteathttp://www.irs.gov/charities/political/index.htmlorbyphoneat(800)829-3676,(202)622-7352forchangestothesesafeharborsandwithanyquestionsyoumighthavepertainingtothesafeharbors.
Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations2006 Edition
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