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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

FEC v. Thornton Township Regular Democratic Organization

Summary

Background

On September 19, 1988, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a final consent order and judgment in a suit the FEC has filed in July 1988 against the Thornton Township Regular Democratic Organization (TTRDO) and its treasurer.

In its suit, the FEC claimed that defendants violated the election law when they sponsored a direct mail solicitation to approximately 18,000 registered Democratic voters at a costs of approximately $4,371. In the consent order, the district court decreed that TTRDO violated the election law by:

  • Failing to register and report with the FEC as a political committee when its costs for the direct mail solicitation exceeded $1,000 (2 U.S.C. §433(a) and 434); and
  • Failing to include on the solicitation a disclaimer notice stating that TTRDO had sponsored the solicitation and that the solicitation was not authorized by any candidate's campaign committee. (2 U.S.C. §441d(a)(3)).

The district court further ordered defendants to pay a $2,000 civil penalty within 30 days of the court's order.

Source:   FEC Record — December 1989

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.