AO 2025-03: American Samoa Democratic Party qualifies as a state party committee
The American Samoa Democratic Party (ASDP) qualifies as a state party committee under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Background
The determination of a state party organization’s status as the state committee of a political party depends on three elements. First, the national party of which the state party organization is a part must itself be a political party. Second, the state party organization must be part of the official structure of the national party. Third, the state party organization must be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the national party at the state level.
Analysis
The Commission determined that ASDP meets the three criteria essential to qualify as a state party committee: (1) the Democratic Party (Party) qualifies as a political party; (2) ASDP is part of the official Party structure; and (3) ASDP is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Party at the state level.
Citations
Regulations
11 CFR § 100.3(a)
Definition. Candidate
11 CFR § 100.4
Federal office
11 CFR § 100.14
State Committee
11 CFR § 100.15
Political party
Advisory Opinions
AO 2024-15
United Libertarians of Massachusetts qualifies as state party committee of national party
AO 2023-12
Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands qualifies as state party committee of national party
AO 2019-03
DC Libertarian Party qualifies as state party committee of national party
AO 2016-17
Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee, Inc. qualifies as state party committee of national party