---
kind: "section"
citation: "52 U.S.C. § 30101"
title: "52"
title_heading: "Voting and Elections"
number: "30101"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/52/30101"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Federal Campaign Finance"
  - "Chapter 301 — Federal Election Campaigns"
  - "Subchapter I — Disclosure of Federal Campaign Funds"
---

# §30101. Definitions


When used in this Act:

- (1) The term “election” means—
  - (A) a general, special, primary, or runoff [election](#1);
  - (B) a convention or caucus of a [political party](#16) which has authority to nominate a [candidate](#2);
  - (C) a primary [election](#1) held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a [political party](#16); and
  - (D) a primary [election](#1) held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of individuals for [election](#1) to the office of President.
- (2) The term “candidate” means an individual who seeks nomination for [election](#1), or [election](#1), to [Federal office](#3), and for purposes of this paragraph, an individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for [election](#1), or [election](#1)—
  - (A) if such individual has received [contributions](#8-A) aggregating in excess of $5,000 or has made [expenditures](#9-A) aggregating in excess of $5,000; or
  - (B) if such individual has given his or her consent to another [person](#11) to receive [contributions](#8-A) or make [expenditures](#9-A) on behalf of such individual and if such [person](#11) has received such [contributions](#8-A) aggregating in excess of $5,000 or has made such [expenditures](#9-A) aggregating in excess of $5,000.
- (3) The term “Federal office” means the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
- (4) The term “political committee” means—
  - (A) any committee, club, association, or other group of [persons](#11) which receives [contributions](#8-A) aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year or which makes [expenditures](#9-A) aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year; or
  - (B) any separate segregated fund established under the provisions of [section 30118(b) of this title](/usc/52/30118.md?p=b); or
  - (C) any local committee of a [political party](#16) which receives [contributions](#8-A) aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year, or makes payments exempted from the definition of [contribution](#8-A) or [expenditure](#9-A) as defined in paragraphs [(8)](#8) and [(9)](#9) aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year, or makes [contributions](#8-A) aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year or makes [expenditures](#9-A) aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year.
- (5) The term “principal campaign committee” means a [political committee](#4) designated and authorized by a [candidate](#2) under [section 30102(e)(1) of this title](/usc/52/30102.md?p=e-1).
- (6) The term “authorized committee” means the [principal campaign committee](#5) or any other [political committee](#4) authorized by a [candidate](#2) under [section 30102(e)(1) of this title](/usc/52/30102.md?p=e-1) to receive [contributions](#8-A) or make [expenditures](#9-A) on behalf of such [candidate](#2).
- (7) The term “connected organization” means any organization which is not a [political committee](#4) but which directly or indirectly establishes, administers or financially supports a [political committee](#4).
- (8)
  - (A) The term “contribution” includes—
    - (i) any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any [person](#11) for the purpose of influencing any [election](#1) for [Federal office](#3); or
    - (ii) the payment by any [person](#11) of compensation for the personal services of another [person](#11) which are rendered to a [political committee](#4) without charge for any purpose.
  - (B) The term “[contribution](#8-A)” does not include—
    - (i) the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a [candidate](#2) or [political committee](#4);
    - (ii) the use of real or personal property, including a church or community room used on a regular basis by members of a community for noncommercial purposes, and the cost of invitations, food, and beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual to any [candidate](#2) or any [political committee](#4) of a [political party](#16) in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual’s residential premises or in the church or community room for [candidate](#2)-related or [political party](#16)-related activities, to the extent that the cumulative value of such invitations, food, and beverages provided by such individual on behalf of any single [candidate](#2) does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single [election](#1), and on behalf of all [political committees](#4) of a [political party](#16) does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year;
    - (iii) the sale of any food or beverage by a vendor for use in any [candidate](#2)’s campaign or for use by or on behalf of any [political committee](#4) of a [political party](#16) at a charge less than the normal comparable charge, if such charge is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor, to the extent that the cumulative value of such activity by such vendor on behalf of any single [candidate](#2) does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single [election](#1), and on behalf of all [political committees](#4) of a [political party](#16) does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year;
    - (iv) any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses made by any individual on behalf of any [candidate](#2) or any [political committee](#4) of a [political party](#16), to the extent that the cumulative value of such activity by such individual on behalf of any single [candidate](#2) does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single [election](#1), and on behalf of all [political committees](#4) of a [political party](#16) does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year;
    - (v) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing, of 3 or more [candidates](#2) for any public office for which an [election](#1) is held in the [State](#12) in which such committee is organized, except that this clause shall not apply to any cost incurred by such committee with respect to a display of any such listing made on broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types of general public political advertising;
    - (vi) any payment made or obligation incurred by a corporation or a labor organization which, under [section 30118(b) of this title](/usc/52/30118.md?p=b), would not constitute an [expenditure](#9-A) by such corporation or labor organization;
    - (vii) any loan of money by a [State](#12) bank, a federally chartered depository institution, or a depository institution the deposits or accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration, other than any overdraft made with respect to a checking or savings account, made in accordance with applicable law and in the ordinary course of business, but such loan—
      - (I) shall be considered a loan by each endorser or guarantor, in that proportion of the unpaid balance that each endorser or guarantor bears to the total number of endorsers or guarantors;
      - (II) shall be made on a basis which assures repayment, evidenced by a written instrument, and subject to a due date or amortization schedule; and
      - (III) shall bear the usual and customary interest rate of the lending institution;
    - (viii) any legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of—
      - (I) any [political committee](#4) of a [political party](#16) if the [person](#11) paying for such services is the regular employer of the [person](#11) rendering such services and if such services are not attributable to activities which directly further the [election](#1) of any designated [candidate](#2) to [Federal office](#3); or
      - (II) an [authorized committee](#6) of a [candidate](#2) or any other [political committee](#4), if the [person](#11) paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering such services and if such services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with this Act or chapter 95 or [chapter 96](/usc/26/chstH/ch96.md) of title 26,

      but amounts paid or incurred by the regular employer for such legal or accounting services shall be reported in accordance with [section 30104(b) of this title](/usc/52/30104.md?p=b) by the committee receiving such services;

    - (ix) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids, and yard signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of nominees of such party: Provided, That—
    - (x) the payment by a [candidate](#2), for nomination or [election](#1) to any public office (including [State](#12) or local office), or [authorized committee](#6) of a [candidate](#2), of the costs of campaign materials which include information on or referenced to any other [candidate](#2) and which are used in connection with volunteer activities (including pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, and yard signs, but not including the use of broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, billboards, direct mail, or similar types of general [public communication](#22) or political advertising): Provided, That such payments are made from [contributions](#8-A) subject to the limitations and prohibitions of this Act;
    - (xi) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by such committee on behalf of nominees of such party for President and Vice President: Provided, That—
    - (xii) payments made by a [candidate](#2) or the [authorized committee](#6) of a [candidate](#2) as a condition of ballot access and payments received by any [political party](#16) committee as a condition of ballot access;
    - (xiii) any honorarium (within the meaning of [section 30125 of this title](/usc/52/30125.md)); and
    - (xiv) any loan of money derived from an advance on a [candidate](#2)’s brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit available to the [candidate](#2), if such loan is made in accordance with applicable law and under commercially reasonable terms and if the [person](#11) making such loan makes loans derived from an advance on the [candidate](#2)’s brokerage account, credit card, home equity line of credit, or other line of credit in the normal course of the [person](#11)’s business.
- (9)
  - (A) The term “expenditure” includes—
    - (i) any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, made by any [person](#11) for the purpose of influencing any [election](#1) for [Federal office](#3); and
    - (ii) a written contract, promise, or agreement to make an [expenditure](#9-A).
  - (B) The term “[expenditure](#9-A)” does not include—
    - (i) any news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any [political party](#16), [political committee](#4), or [candidate](#2);
    - (ii) nonpartisan activity designed to encourage individuals to vote or to register to vote;
    - (iii) any communication by any membership organization or corporation to its members, stockholders, or executive or administrative personnel, if such membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing the nomination for [election](#1), or [election](#1), of any individual to [Federal office](#3), except that the costs incurred by a membership organization (including a labor organization) or by a corporation directly attributable to a communication expressly advocating the [election](#1) or defeat of a [clearly identified](#18) [candidate](#2) (other than a communication primarily devoted to subjects other than the express advocacy of the [election](#1) or defeat of a [clearly identified](#18) [candidate](#2)), shall, if such costs exceed $2,000 for any [election](#1), be reported to the [Commission](#10) in accordance with [section 30104(a)(4)(A)(i) of this title](/usc/52/30104.md?p=a-4-A-i), and in accordance with [section 30104(a)(4)(A)(ii) of this title](/usc/52/30104.md?p=a-4-A-ii) with respect to any general [election](#1);
    - (iv) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing, of 3 or more [candidates](#2) for any public office for which an [election](#1) is held in the [State](#12) in which such committee is organized, except that this clause shall not apply to costs incurred by such committee with respect to a display of any such listing made on broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types of general public political advertising;
    - (v) any payment made or obligation incurred by a corporation or a labor organization which, under [section 30118(b) of this title](/usc/52/30118.md?p=b), would not constitute an [expenditure](#9-A) by such corporation or labor organization;
    - (vi) any costs incurred by an [authorized committee](#6) or [candidate](#2) in connection with the solicitation of [contributions](#8-A) on behalf of such [candidate](#2), except that this clause shall not apply with respect to costs incurred by an [authorized committee](#6) of a [candidate](#2) in excess of an amount equal to 20 percent of the [expenditure](#9-A) limitation applicable to such [candidate](#2) under [section 30116(b) of this title](/usc/52/30116.md?p=b), but all such costs shall be reported in accordance with [section 30104(b) of this title](/usc/52/30104.md?p=b);
    - (vii) the payment of compensation for legal or accounting services—
      - (I) rendered to or on behalf of any [political committee](#4) of a [political party](#16) if the [person](#11) paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering such services, and if such services are not attributable to activities which directly further the [election](#1) of any designated [candidate](#2) to [Federal office](#3); or
      - (II) rendered to or on behalf of a [candidate](#2) or [political committee](#4) if the [person](#11) paying for such services is the regular employer of the individual rendering such services, and if such services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with this Act or chapter 95 or [chapter 96](/usc/26/chstH/ch96.md) of title 26,

      but amounts paid or incurred by the regular employer for such legal or accounting services shall be reported in accordance with [section 30104(b) of this title](/usc/52/30104.md?p=b) by the committee receiving such services;

    - (viii) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids, and yard signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of nominees of such party: Provided, That—
    - (ix) the payment by a [State](#12) or local committee of a [political party](#16) of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by such committee on behalf of nominees of such party for President and Vice President: Provided, That—
    - (x) payments received by a [political party](#16) committee as a condition of ballot access which are transferred to another [political party](#16) committee or the [appropriate State](/usc/52/30113.md?p=a-2) official.
- (10) The term “Commission” means the Federal [Election](#1) Commission.
- (11) The term “person” includes an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons, but such term does not include the Federal Government or any authority of the Federal Government.
- (12) The term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory or possession of the United States.
- (13) The term “identification” means—
  - (A) in the case of any individual, the name, the mailing address, and the occupation of such individual, as well as the name of his or her employer; and
  - (B) in the case of any other [person](#11), the full name and address of such [person](#11).
- (14) The term “national committee” means the organization which, by virtue of the bylaws of a [political party](#16), is responsible for the day-to-day operation of such [political party](#16) at the national level, as determined by the [Commission](#10).
- (15) The term “State committee” means the organization which, by virtue of the bylaws of a [political party](#16), is responsible for the day-to-day operation of such [political party](#16) at the [State](#12) level, as determined by the [Commission](#10).
- (16) The term “political party” means an association, committee, or organization which nominates a [candidate](#2) for [election](#1) to any [Federal office](#3) whose name appears on the [election](#1) ballot as the [candidate](#2) of such association, committee, or organization.
- (17) **Independent expenditure.—** The term “independent expenditure” means an [expenditure](#9-A) by a [person](#11)—
  - (A) expressly advocating the [election](#1) or defeat of a [clearly identified](#18) [candidate](#2); and
  - (B) that is not made in concert or cooperation with or at the request or suggestion of such [candidate](#2), the [candidate](#2)’s authorized [political committee](#4), or their agents, or a [political party](#16) committee or its agents.
- (18) The term “clearly identified” means that—
  - (A) the name of the [candidate](#2) involved appears;
  - (B) a photograph or drawing of the [candidate](#2) appears; or
  - (C) the identity of the [candidate](#2) is apparent by unambiguous reference.
- (19) The term “Act” means the Federal [Election](#1) Campaign Act of 1971 as amended.
- (20) **Federal election activity.—**
  - (A) **In general.—** The term “Federal election activity” means—
    - (i) voter registration activity during the period that begins on the date that is 120 days before the date a regularly scheduled Federal [election](#1) is held and ends on the date of the [election](#1);
    - (ii) voter [identification](#13), get-out-the-vote activity, or [generic campaign activity](#21) conducted in connection with an [election](#1) in which a [candidate](#2) for [Federal office](#3) appears on the ballot (regardless of whether a [candidate](#2) for [State](#12) or local office also appears on the ballot);
    - (iii) a [public communication](#22) that refers to a [clearly identified](#18) [candidate](#2) for [Federal office](#3) (regardless of whether a [candidate](#2) for [State](#12) or local office is also mentioned or identified) and that promotes or supports a [candidate](#2) for that office, or attacks or opposes a [candidate](#2) for that office (regardless of whether the communication expressly advocates a vote for or against a [candidate](#2)); or
    - (iv) services provided during any month by an employee of a [State](#12), district, or local committee of a [political party](#16) who spends more than 25 percent of that individual’s compensated time during that month on activities in connection with a Federal [election](#1).
  - (B) **Excluded activity.—** The term “[Federal election activity](#20-A)” does not include an amount expended or disbursed by a [State](#12), district, or local committee of a [political party](#16) for—
    - (i) a [public communication](#22) that refers solely to a [clearly identified](#18) [candidate](#2) for [State](#12) or local office, if the communication is not a [Federal election activity](#20-A) described in subparagraph [(A)(i)](#20-A-i) or (ii);
    - (ii) a [contribution](#8-A) to a [candidate](#2) for [State](#12) or local office, provided the [contribution](#8-A) is not designated to pay for a [Federal election activity](#20-A) described in [subparagraph (A)](#20-A);
    - (iii) the costs of a [State](#12), district, or local political convention; and
    - (iv) the costs of grassroots campaign materials, including buttons, bumper stickers, and yard signs, that name or depict only a [candidate](#2) for [State](#12) or local office.
- (21) **Generic campaign activity.—** The term “generic campaign activity” means a campaign activity that promotes a [political party](#16) and does not promote a [candidate](#2) or non-Federal [candidate](#2).
- (22) **Public communication.—** The term “public communication” means a communication by means of any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, [mass mailing](#23), or [telephone bank](#24) to the general public, or any other form of general public political advertising.
- (23) **Mass mailing.—** The term “mass mailing” means a mailing by United States mail or facsimile of more than 500 pieces of mail matter of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30-day period.
- (24) **Telephone bank.—** The term “telephone bank” means more than 500 telephone calls of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30-day period.
- (25) **Election cycle.—** For purposes of sections [30116(i)](/usc/52/30116.md?p=i) and [30117](/usc/52/30117.md) of this title and [paragraph (26)](#26), the term “election cycle” means the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent [election](#1) for the specific office or seat that a [candidate](#2) is seeking and ending on the date of the next [election](#1) for that office or seat. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a primary [election](#1) and a general [election](#1) shall be considered to be separate [elections](#1).
- (26) **Personal funds.—** The term “personal funds” means an amount that is derived from—
  - (A) any asset that, under applicable [State](#12) law, at the time the individual became a [candidate](#2), the [candidate](#2) had legal right of access to or control over, and with respect to which the [candidate](#2) had—
    - (i) legal and rightful title; or
    - (ii) an equitable interest;
  - (B) income received during the current [election cycle](#25) of the [candidate](#2), including—
    - (i) a salary and other earned income from bona fide employment;
    - (ii) dividends and proceeds from the sale of the [candidate](#2)’s stocks or other investments;
    - (iii) bequests to the [candidate](#2);
    - (iv) income from trusts established before the beginning of the [election cycle](#25);
    - (v) income from trusts established by bequest after the beginning of the [election cycle](#25) of which the [candidate](#2) is the beneficiary;
    - (vi) gifts of a personal nature that had been customarily received by the [candidate](#2) prior to the beginning of the [election cycle](#25); and
    - (vii) proceeds from lotteries and similar legal games of chance; and
  - (C) a portion of assets that are jointly owned by the [candidate](#2) and the [candidate](#2)’s spouse equal to the [candidate](#2)’s share of the asset under the instrument of conveyance or ownership, but if no specific share is indicated by an instrument of conveyance or ownership, the value of ½ of the property.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–225, title III, § 301, Feb. 7, 1972, 86 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 93–443, title II, §§ 201(a), 208(c)(1), Oct. 15, 1974, 88 Stat. 1272, 1286; Pub. L. 94–283, title I, §§ 102, 115(d), (h), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 478, 495, 496; Pub. L. 96–187, title I, § 101, Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat. 1339; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 106–346, § 101(a) [title V, § 502(b)], Oct. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 1356, 1356A–49; Pub. L. 107–155, title I, §§ 101(b), 103(b)(1), title II, § 211, title III, § 304(c), Mar. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 85, 87, 92, 100.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, referred to in par. (19), is Pub. L. 92–225, Feb. 7, 1972, 86 Stat. 3, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 431 of Title 2, The Congress, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Some section numbers referenced in amendment notes below reflect the classification of such sections prior to their editorial reclassification to this title.

### Amendments

2002—Par. (8)(B)(viii) to (xv). Pub. L. 107–155, § 103(b)(1), redesignated cls. (ix) to (xv) as (viii) to (xiv), respectively, and struck out former cl. (viii) which read as follows: “any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value to a national or a State committee of a political party specifically designated to defray any cost for construction or purchase of any office facility not acquired for the purpose of influencing the election of any candidate in any particular election for Federal office;”.

Par. (17). Pub. L. 107–155, § 211, added par. (17) and struck out former par. (17) which read as follows: “The term ‘independent expenditure’ means an expenditure by a person expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate which is made without cooperation or consultation with any candidate, or any authorized committee or agent of such candidate, and which is not made in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or any authorized committee or agent of such candidate.”

Pars. (20) to (24). Pub. L. 107–155, § 101(b), added pars. (20) to (24).

Pars. (25), (26). Pub. L. 107–155, § 304(c), added pars. (25) and (26).

2000—Par. (8)(B)(xv). Pub. L. 106–346 added cl. (xv).

1986—Pars. (8)(B)(ix)(II), (9)(A)(vii)(II). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.

1980—Pub. L. 96–187 changed the section designations from letters to numbers, and as so redesignated, substantially redefined the terms applicable to the provisions of this Act.

1976—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–283, § 102(a), substituted “party which has authority to nominate” for “party held to nominate”.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 94–283, § 102(b), substituted “written contract, promise, or agreement,” for “contract, promise, or agreement, expressed or implied,”.

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 94–283, § 102(c), inserted provisions establishing an exception for legal or accounting services.

Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 94–283, §§ 102(d), (e), 115(d)(1), substituted “section 441b(b) of this title” for “the last paragraph of section 610 of title 18, United States Code” in cl. (F), added cls. (G), (H), and (I), and, in the provisions following cl. (I), substituted “person” for “individual”.

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 94–283, §§ 102(f), 115(d)(2), inserted provisions in cl. (C) requiring the reporting to the Commission of costs directly attributable to a communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identifiable candidate if those costs should exceed $2,000 per election, substituted “section 441b(b) of this title” for “the last paragraph of section 610 of title 18, United States Code” in cl. (H), and added cls. (I), (J), and (K).

Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 94–283, § 115(h), substituted “section 432(e) (1) of this title” for “section 432(f)(1) of this title”.

Subsecs. (o) to (q). Pub. L. 94–283, § 102(g)(3), added subsecs. (o) to (q).

1974—Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(1), inserted introductory reference to title IV of this Act, which for purposes of codification is translated as subchapter II of this chapter.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(2), struck out from definition of “election” the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(3), inserted reference to “club,” before “association” and substituted “other group of persons” and “receives” for “organization” and “accepts”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(4), transferred the word “means” after introductory word “contribution” to become the initial word in pars. (1) to (4); in par. (1), incorporated existing provisions in provisions designated subpars. (A) and (B), and deleted former provisions respecting contributions for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person as a presidential election or for the purpose of influencing the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States; in par. (2), provided for express or implied transactions; in par. (3), substitution of “funds received by a political committee which are transferred to such committee from another political committee or other source” for “a transfer of funds between political committees”; inserted at end of par. (4) the word “but”; and added par. (5).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(5), transferred the word “means” following introductory word “expenditure” to become the initial word in pars. (1) to (3); in par. (1), incorporated existing provisions in provisions designated subpars. (A) to (C) and deleted end text reading “, or for the purpose of influencing the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States”; in par. (2), provided for express or implied transactions; in par. (3), substituted “the transfer of funds by a political committee to another political committee; but” for “a transfer of funds between political committees”; and added par. (4).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 93–443, § 208(c)(1), substituted definition of “Commission” for “supervisory officer”.

Subsecs. (j) to (n). Pub. L. 93–443, § 201(a)(6)–(8), added subsecs. (j) to (n).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment; Regulations

Pub. L. 107–155, title IV, § 402, Mar. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 112, provided that:General Effective Date.— In general.—Except as provided in the succeeding provisions of this section, the effective date of this Act [see Tables for classification], and the amendments made by this Act, is November 6, 2002. Modification of contribution limits.—The amendments made by— section 102 [amending section 30116 of this title] shall apply with respect to contributions made on or after January 1, 2003; and section 307 [amending section 30116 of this title] shall take effect as provided in subsection (e) of such section [enacting provisions set out as a note under section 30116 of this title]. Severability; effective dates and regulations; judicial review.—Title IV [enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 30110 and 30144 of this title] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 27, 2002]. Provisions not to apply to runoff elections.—Section 323(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [52 U.S.C. 30125(b)] (as added by section 101(a)), section 103(a) [amending section 30104 of this title], title II [amending this section and sections 30104, 30116, and 30118 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 30104 and 30116 of this title], sections 304 [amending this section and sections 30104 and 30116 of this title] (including section 315(j) of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [52 U.S.C. 30116(j)], as added by section 304(a)(2)), 305 [amending section 315 of Title 47, Telecommunications, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 315 of Title 47] (notwithstanding subsection (c) of such section [enacting provisions set out as a note under section 315 of Title 47]), 311 [amending section 30120 of this title], 316 [amending section 30116 of this title], 318 [enacting section 30126 of this title], and 319 [enacting section 30117 of this title and amending section 30116 of this title], and title V [enacting section 30112 of this title and amending section 30104 of this title and section 315 of Title 47] (and the amendments made by such sections and titles) shall take effect on November 6, 2002, but shall not apply with respect to runoff elections, recounts, or election contests resulting from elections held prior to such date.Soft Money of National Political Parties.— In general.—Except for subsection (b) of such section, section 323 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [52 U.S.C. 30125] (as added by section 101(a)) shall take effect on November 6, 2002.Transitional rules for the spending of soft money of national political parties.— In general.—Notwithstanding section 323(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [52 U.S.C. 30125(a)] (as added by section 101(a)), if a national committee of a political party described in such section (including any person who is subject to such section under paragraph (2) of such section), has received funds described in such section prior to November 6, 2002, the rules described in subparagraph (B) shall apply with respect to the spending of the amount of such funds in the possession of such committee as of such date.Use of excess soft money funds.— In general.—Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), the national committee of a political party may use the amount described in subparagraph (A) prior to January 1, 2003, solely for the purpose of— retiring outstanding debts or obligations that were incurred solely in connection with an election held prior to November 6, 2002; or paying expenses or retiring outstanding debts or paying for obligations that were incurred solely in connection with any runoff election, recount, or election contest resulting from an election held prior to November 6, 2002. Prohibition on using soft money for hard money expenses, debts, and obligations.—A national committee of a political party may not use the amount described in subparagraph (A) for any expenditure (as defined in section 301(9) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(9)) [now 52 U.S.C. 30101(9)]) or for retiring outstanding debts or obligations that were incurred for such an expenditure. Prohibition of building fund uses.—A national committee of a political party may not use the amount described in subparagraph (A) for activities to defray the costs of the construction or purchase of any office building or facility.Regulations.— In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate regulations to carry out this Act [see Tables for classification] and the amendments made by this Act that are under the Commission’s jurisdiction not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 27, 2002]. Soft money of political parties.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate regulations to carry out title I of this Act [enacting section 30125 of this title and amending this section and sections 30104, 30116, and 30143 of this title] and the amendments made by such title.”

### Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–346, § 101(a) [title V, § 502(d)], Oct. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 1356, 1356A–50, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 30104 of this title] shall apply with respect to elections occurring after January 2001.”

### Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–187, title III, § 301, Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat. 1368, provided that: Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this Act [see Tables for classification] are effective upon enactment [Jan. 8, 1980]. For authorized committees of candidates for President and Vice President, section 304(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [section 30104(b) of this title] shall be effective for elections occurring after January 1, 1981.”

### Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–443, title IV, § 410, Oct. 15, 1974, 88 Stat. 1304, provided that: Except as provided by subsection (b) and subsection (c), the foregoing provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall become effective January 1, 1975. Section 104 [set out as a note under section 591 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] and the amendment made by section 301 [amending section 30143 of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 1974]. The amendments made by sections 403(a), 404, 405, 406, 408, and 409 [enacting sections 9031 to 9042, amending sections 276, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007, 9008, 9009, 9010, 9011, and 9012, and repealing section 9021 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974. The amendment made by section 407 [amending section 6012 of Title 26] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1971.”

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 92–225, title IV, § 408, formerly § 406, Feb. 7, 1972, 86 Stat. 20, as renumbered § 408 by Pub. L. 93–443, title III, § 302, Oct. 15, 1974, 88 Stat. 1289, provided that: “Except as provided in section 401 of this Act [section 30141 of this title], the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall become effective on December 31, 1971, or sixty days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 7, 1972], whichever is later.”

### Transfer of Functions

Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation abolished and functions transferred, see Pub. L. 101–73, title IV, §§ 401–406, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 354–363, set out as a note under section 1437 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

### Transition Provisions

Pub. L. 96–187, title III, § 303, Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat. 1368, provided that: The Federal Election Commission shall transmit to the Congress proposed rules and regulations necessary for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification], and the amendments made by this Act, prior to February 29, 1980. The provisions of section 311(d) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [section 30111(d) of this title] allowing disapproval of rules and regulations by either House of Congress within 30 legislative days after receipt shall, with respect to rules and regulations required to be proposed under subsection (a) of this section, be deemed to allow such disapproval within 15 legislative days after receipt.”

### Study and Report on Clean Money Clean Elections Laws

Pub. L. 107–155, title III, § 310, Mar. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 104, related to a study and report on clean money clean elections laws in Arizona and Maine.

### Voting System Study; Report to Congress; Cost of Study

Pub. L. 96–187, title III, § 302, Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat. 1368, as amended by Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433, required the Federal Election Commission, with the cooperation and assistance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to conduct a preliminary study of the future development of voluntary engineering and procedural performance standards for voting systems and report the results to Congress with certain recommendations.