Week of October 31 – November 4, 2016

Commission meetings and hearings

No Commission open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.

Advisory opinions

Advisory Opinion 2016-12 (Citizen Super PAC) 

On November 2, the Commission made public a third draft of Advisory Opinion 2016-12 (Citizen Super PAC). On November 3, the Commission held tally votes on Drafts A and C but was unable to reach agreement by the required four affirmative votes on either draft to issue an advisory opinion. The requestor had asked several questions regarding the regulatory consequences of its proposal to send emails to a candidate with a link to Citizen Super PAC’s advertisement projects, including an ad expressly advocating for that candidate, and the consequences of other potential actions taken by the requestor and that candidate.

Administrative fines

The Commission made public one campaign finance enforcement matter that was resolved through its Administrative Fines (AF) program, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.

AF 3070 

National Association of Wheat Growers Political Action Committee (WHEATPAC) and Elizabeth Leith, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $2,970.

Litigation

• Stop Reckless Economic Instability caused by Democrats, et al. v. FEC (Case 16-109). On October 17, Plaintiffs filed a Reply in Support of Petition for Writ of Certiorari. On October 31, the United States Supreme Court issued a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari Denial.
• Independence Institute v. FEC (Case 1:14-cv-01500-CKK-PAM-APM). On November 3, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an Order and Memorandum Opinion, denying the Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and granting the FEC’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

Federal Register

• On November 2, the Commission published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Technological Modernization. The Commission will accept comments until December 2, 2016.

Compliance

• On October 31, the Commission posted the six Commissioners’ compliance tips to those considering supporting a federal candidate.

Outreach

• On November 1, Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub discussed Commission operations and campaign finance law with professionals from Indonesia visiting the United States as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.
• On November 2, Communications Specialist Chris Berg spoke about the role of the Commission with members of the Serbian Parliament visiting the United States as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.
• On November 2, Commissioner Weintraub met with a visiting group of young political activists from the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting was sponsored by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Washington, DC.
• On November 3, Commissioner Weintraub discussed the role and work of the Commission and recent developments in campaign finance law with American University students.
• On November 3, Commissioner Weintraub met with the former President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, and representatives from the Organization of American States to discuss the work of the Commission and U.S. campaign finance law.
• On November 4, Communications Specialist Myles Martin spoke with a Nigerian delegation about the role of the Commission. The meeting was part of a program sponsored by the Nigerian American Coalition.
• On November 4, Commissioner Ann M. Ravel discussed Commission operations and campaign finance law with professionals from Argentina. The meeting was part of a program sponsored by the Transparencia Electoral Argentina.
• On November 4, Commissioner Lee E. Goodman met with a Hungarian delegation to discuss the role of the Commission. The meeting was part of a program sponsored by the Századvég Foundation.

Press releases

• District Court Denies Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment in Independence Institute v. FEC (issued November 3)
• FEC Cites Committees for Failure to File 12-Day Pre-General Financial Report (issued November 4)

Upcoming Commission meetings and hearings

• November 15: The Commission is scheduled to hold an executive session.
• November 17: The Commission is scheduled to hold an open meeting.

Meeting dates are subject to change. Please contact the Press Office the week of the scheduled meeting for confirmation.

Upcoming educational programs

• November 16: Webinar on Winding Down the Campaign & Post-General Reporting. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.

Upcoming reporting due dates

• December 8: Post-General Reports are due. For more information on reporting dates, refer to the 2016 Reporting Dates page of the Commission website.

Disclosure initiatives

Commission staff, together with our partners at 18F, continue to add new features to the agency's beta.fec.gov website. The Commission encourages website visitors to submit comments and questions by clicking on the “Feedback” tab at the bottom of each page.

Additional research materials

Additional research materials about the agency, campaign finance information, and election results are available through the Library section of the Commission website.

The 2016 edition of the Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available in the Public Records section of the Commission website. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives and other financial filings.

The Commission has published the October Record newsletter. Sign up to receive email notification when new Record articles are posted.

The 2016 edition of Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations can be downloaded from the website. To order printed copies, call (800) 424-9530 (press 6) or send an email to info@fec.gov.