PACS
SuperPACS
Organizations wishing to advertise through television, radio, mail, and via the Internet who do not wish to contribute directly to candidates may also spend money on elections.
Joint
comprised of members from both the Senate and House of Representatives, designed to study, investigate, and oversee specific matters of joint interest.
they generally handle administrative tasks, such as printing, library oversight, or taxation, rather than passing legislation
Procedural
constitutional doctrine requiring government officials to follow fair, established procedures—primarily notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a neutral decision-maker—before depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property.
Citizens United
spending money on political advocacy is essential to freedom of expression.
Public Opinion Polls
research surveys designed to measure the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of a specific population by sampling a representative subset.
tax-exempt, non-profit organizations regulated by the IRS. 501(c)(3) groups (charities/educational) cannot engage in political lobbying or campaigning. 501(c)(4) groups ("social welfare" organizations) can lobby and engage in politics as a secondary, rather than primary, function, often without disclosing donors.
Select
A select committee is a specialized, often temporary, legislative body appointed to investigate, study, or handle specific issues beyond the scope of standing committees. These committees serve a vital government oversight role, scrutinizing policy, spending, and administration through evidence gathering and public reports.
substantive
legal doctrine under the 5th and 14th Amendments that protects fundamental, unenumerated rights—those not explicitly listed in the Constitution—from government interference. It prohibits the government from infringing on core liberties
FEC
film and ads were the "functional equivalent" of express advocacy (voting for or against a candidate) and that corporations could be prohibited from using general treasury funds for such communication within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.
Straw polls
unofficial, ad hoc vote used to gauge popular opinion on candidates or issues, often acting as "straws in the wind" to see which way opinion is blowing.
527s
tax-exempt groups created under Section 527 of the IRC to influence the election, nomination, or appointment of public officials. They raise unlimited funds, often for voter mobilization and issue advocacy, but cannot expressly advocate for a specific candidate or coordinate directly with campaigns.
Standing
permanent panel within a legislature (such as the U.S. House or Senate) with specific legislative jurisdiction, tasked with reviewing, amending, and reporting proposed bills. Unlike temporary committees, they exist permanently to oversee government agencies and programs.
Amendments
5th and 14th amendments
Amendment
1st amendment free speech
Benchmark Polls
initial surveys conducted at the start of a political campaign to establish a baseline of voter knowledge, support, and perception for a candidate or issue.
Unlimited donations
Super PACs are political committees that can solicit and spend unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations, and unions.
Conference
is a temporary, ad-hoc panel of House and Senate members (conferees) formed to reconcile differences when both chambers pass different versions of the same bill. These joint committees negotiate a single, compromise version—the conference report—which must be approved by both chambers without amendment.
14th amendment's usage
The 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause has been used to apply most of the Bill of Rights to the states.
Ruling
The Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited because such restrictions violate the First Amendment. The decision effectively permitted corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political ads, provided they do not directly coordinate with candidates.
Tracking Polls
a survey repeated continuously over time—often daily or weekly—to measure shifts in public opinion, behaviors, or attitudes.
Limited donations
Various corporations and organizations limit donations based on specific criteria, including funding caps, geographic focus, and in-kind donation restrictions according to the FEC
Subcommittees
Smaller subunits formed by larger committees to handle specific tasks within their broader jurisdiction
Due process clause of the 14th amendment and the 5th amendment
Extends due process protections to state actions, ensuring that no state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.
Protects against federal abuse, requiring a grand jury for capital crimes, prohibiting double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and ensuring just compensation for taken property.
Unconstitutional
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act’s (BCRA) restrictions on corporate and union independent expenditures violated the First Amendment.
exit/entrance polls
An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations. A similar poll conducted before actual voters have voted is called an entrance poll.