This Campaign Guide has been written to help political party committees at all levels—national, state, district and local—comply with the federal campaign finance law. This law regulates the money raised and spent to elect candidates to the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Presidency. Unregistered party organizations should instead consult the FEC brochure on “Local Party Activity.”

Defined Terms

Terms printed in italics have specific definitions under federal law. The definitions appear in Appendix G.

Citations

Most of the citations in this Guide refer to Federal Election Commission regulations.[1] FEC advisory opinions are also cited. (More on advisory opinions below.)

Getting More Help

Toll-Free Line

Many questions on the federal campaign finance law can be answered informally by FEC staff. Call the FEC at:

800/424-9530

202/694-1100 (Washington, DC, area)

202/219-3336 (TDD)

Hearing-impaired persons may reverse the charges when calling long-distance on the TDD number. Questions may also be submitted by electronic mail to info@fec.gov.

Free Publications

In addition to this Guide, the FEC publishes a series of brochures and other publications on several aspects of the federal campaign finance law, all available free of charge. Subscriptions to the Commission’s newsletter, the Record, are also available at no charge. Call the FEC to place your order.

FEC Web Site

Filing forms and other informational materials such as advisory opinions and recent changes in the FEC regulations are also available on the FEC web site (www.fec.gov).

Faxline

The FEC maintains a free automated fax-on-demand service, Faxline. Documents available on Faxline include selected parts of Title 2 of the U.S. Code, FEC regulations, advisory opinions (1990 – present), forms and schedules, brochures and other documents regarding campaign finance. To receive documents from the Faxline, call 202/501-3413 and follow the voice prompts.

Advisory Opinions

FEC advisory opinions (AOs) respond to questions on the legality of specific activities. Individuals and organizations involved in an activity that does not differ in any material aspects from that addressed in an AO may rely on the opinion for legal guidance. Advisory opinions are available on the Commission’s web site. Copies of advisory opinions may also be ordered from the FEC’s Public Records Office; there is a small copying charge.

Anyone may request an advisory opinion on his or her own proposed or ongoing activity. Requests presenting only past acitivity or the activities of others do not qualify. The Commission has 60 calendar days after receiving a request to issue the advisory opinion. (A 20-day expedited response is available to candidate committee requesters in certain situations.) 112.4(b). However, if the Commission needs to seek further information from the requester, the 60-day period may be extended. Advisory opinion requests should be addressed to the Office of General Counsel at:

Federal Election Commission

999 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20463