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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