AO 2015-01: Green-Rainbow Party qualifies as state party
The Green-Rainbow Party (GRP) satisfies the criteria for state party committee status.
Background
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and Commission regulations, a state party committee is an organization that by virtue of the bylaws of a political party is part of the official party structure and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a political party at the state level, as determined by the Commission. 52 U.S.C. § 30101(15); 11 CFR 100.14(a). In order for a committee to qualify as a state party committee, there must also be at least one candidate for federal office whose name appears on the ballot as a party candidate.
Analysis
The Commission determined that GRP qualifies as a state committee because: (1) the Green Party of the United States (Green Party) qualifies as a political party; (2) GRP is part of the official Green Party structure; and (3) GRP is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Green Party at the state level in Massachusetts. The Green-Rainbow Party also placed a candidate for President of the United States, Jill Stein, on the 2012 Massachusetts general election ballot. See also, Advisory Opinions (AOs) 2012-39 (Green Party of Virginia), and 2012-36 (Green Party of Connecticut).
GRP had previously qualified as a state party committee in 2004, but the FEC administratively terminated the committee in 2014 for failing to file FEC reports. See AO 2004-09.
Date Issued: June 18, 2015; Length: 4 pages
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