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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

Registering as a political party

Forming a new national or state political party organization: New party organizations must register with the FEC when they raise or spend money over certain thresholds in connection with a federal election.

The FEC determines if a committee has demonstrated enough national (or state) activity to qualify as a national (or state) party committee. Before taking advantage of higher contribution limits available to these party committees, a committee will have to ask for an FEC advisory opinion to verify that it has attained national (or state) committee status.

If a party organization will be active only in state or local elections, it doesn't need to register with the FEC.

Forming a local branch of an existing political party (for example, Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Green party): Local branches must register their party organization with the FEC when they raise or spend money over certain thresholds in connection with a federal election.

When a local party organization is required to register with the FEC, it becomes a local party committee. A local party committee is presumed to be affiliated with the other federal party committees in its state. Affiliated committees share limits on contributions made and received.

If a party organization will be active only in state or local elections, it doesn’t need to register with the FEC.

The first steps that follow cover specific topics to help set up and register a political party committee.

First steps

Requirements

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.