Campaign Finance Webquest Answers

Campaign finance webquests typically delve into the complex and often controversial world of how political campaigns are funded in the United States. Here’s a general overview of the types of questions and answers you might encounter in such a webquest:

Key Concepts

• Hard Money vs. Soft Money: Hard money refers to contributions made directly to a candidate’s campaign, subject to strict limits and regulations by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Soft money, on the other hand, was previously funds raised by political parties for party-building activities, theoretically not directly supporting a specific candidate. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), also known as McCain-Feingold, significantly restricted soft money.
• PACs (Political Action Committees): These are organizations that raise and spend money to elect and defeat candidates. They can contribute directly to campaigns, but are subject to contribution limits.
• Super PACs: Officially known as independent expenditure-only committees, Super PACs can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. They are prohibited from donating directly to candidates or parties.
• 501(c) Organizations: These are non-profit groups that can engage in political activity, but their primary purpose cannot be political campaigning. 501(c)(4)s, for example, are “social welfare” organizations and can engage in unlimited lobbying and political advocacy, as long as it’s not their primary activity. Their donors are not publicly disclosed.
• FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act): This act, passed in the 1970s, established the FEC and placed initial limits on campaign contributions and spending.
• BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act): This act, passed in 2002, attempted to limit soft money and regulated issue ads near elections. It was later challenged in court.
• Citizens United v. FEC: This Supreme Court case (2010) held that corporations and unions have the same First Amendment rights as individuals, and therefore, the government cannot restrict their independent political spending in candidate elections. This ruling paved the way for the rise of Super PACs.

Sample Webquest Questions and Answers

1. What is the difference between hard money and soft money? (See definitions above)
2. What is the role of the FEC? The FEC is the independent regulatory agency that enforces campaign finance laws in the United States. It discloses campaign finance information, enforces contribution limits and prohibitions, and oversees the public funding of presidential elections.
3. How did the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court case impact campaign finance? This ruling allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political expenditures, leading to the creation of Super PACs and a significant increase in money in politics.
4. What are the contribution limits for individuals donating to a candidate’s campaign? The contribution limits change periodically. Webquests will typically require students to look up the current limits on the FEC website.
5. What are some arguments for and against campaign finance regulations? Arguments for regulation include preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption, leveling the playing field for candidates, and ensuring that elections are decided by voters, not wealthy donors. Arguments against regulation include infringing on free speech rights, hindering the ability of candidates to communicate with voters, and being ineffective in limiting the influence of money.
6. How do 501(c)(4) organizations impact campaign finance transparency? These organizations are not required to disclose their donors, making it difficult to track the source of money being used in political advertising and advocacy.

Understanding the intricacies of campaign finance is crucial for informed civic engagement. Webquests are a valuable tool for exploring these complexities and the impact of campaign finance laws on the political landscape.