Campaign finance is how money flows into and is spent during campaigns—who gives it (individuals, PACs, parties), the rules that limit or require disclosure (FEC, hard vs. soft money), and legal decisions that treat spending as speech (Buckley v. Valeo, Citizens United). Laws like the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) and the rise of Super PACs and 501(c)(4) “dark money” shape what kinds of ads and independent expenditures are allowed. It matters because money affects who can communicate with voters, helps incumbents stay competitive, funds advertising that shapes perceptions, and raises debates about free speech, fairness, and transparency. For the AP exam know LO 5.11.A and EKs about BCRA, Citizens United, types of PACs, coordinated vs. independent spending, disclosure, and public financing. Want a focused review and practice? Check the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU), the Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5), and 1,000+ practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA or “McCain-Feingold”) was a major federal law that tried to curb soft-money influence and limit negative, last-minute ads. Key provisions: - Banned national parties from raising or spending “soft money” (unregulated funds) for federal campaigns. - Restricted “electioneering communications” by corporations, unions, and non-federal PACs within 30 days of a primary and 60 days of a general election (later narrowed by the courts). - Required the “Stand by Your Ad” disclosure (“I’m [name] and I approve this message”). - Adjusted and indexed some contribution limits and tightened disclosure rules. In practice BCRA reduced party soft-money flows and made ad sponsors more visible, but later Supreme Court decisions (notably Citizens United v. FEC) rolled back parts of its restrictions on corporate and union independent spending. For AP review, focus on soft money vs. hard money, electioneering communications, independent vs. coordinated expenditures, and how SCOTUS rulings changed BCRA’s reach (see the Topic 5.11 study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU). For extra practice, try problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

You hear that line because of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) of 2002—its “Stand by Your Ad” rule requires candidates to verbally identify themselves and say “I approve this message” in broadcast ads. The law was meant to increase transparency and make it clear who’s funding or endorsing the message (reducing anonymous “soft money” influence and misleading attack ads). It ties into bigger AP topics: campaign finance rules, disclosure, independent expenditures, and the First Amendment debate (see Citizens United v. FEC, which treated political spending as protected speech). On the exam, this is part of LO 5.11.A about how campaign organization and finance affect elections. Want to review this topic more? Check the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

The Supreme Court treats political spending as protected speech because spending money lets people and groups amplify political messages—that’s considered expression under the First Amendment. In Buckley v. Valeo (1976) the Court ruled limits on campaign expenditures (money spent to communicate messages) violate free speech, distinguishing contributions (can be limited to prevent corruption) from expenditures (more protected). Citizens United v. FEC (2010) extended that protection to corporations and unions, allowing independent expenditures and paving the way for Super PACs; the key is the spending must be independent (not coordinated) with a candidate. Congress responded with BCRA/McCain-Feingold to curb soft money and require disclosures, but the fundamental tension remains: money is speech (Court precedent) vs. concerns about unequal influence and fair elections (ongoing debate in EK 5.11.A.1–A.2). For a focused review, check the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

Hard money = contributions regulated by federal law: individual and PAC donations that go directly to a candidate or their campaign. Those gifts are limited in size, must be disclosed to the FEC, and can be coordinated with the campaign. Soft money = unregulated (pre-2002) party money for “party-building” activities or issue ads, not officially for a specific candidate—used to influence elections indirectly. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold, 2002) tried to ban soft money and curb electioneering ads (EK 5.11.A.1). Court rulings like Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo shifted the landscape by protecting some independent political spending (Super PACs can raise/spend unlimited money for independent expenditures but can’t coordinate with campaigns). For AP exam purposes, know limits/disclosure rules, coordinated vs. independent expenditures, and how BCRA + SCOTUS decisions shape debates over free speech and fair elections (see topic study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU; unit overview: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5). For practice, try problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

The Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC said political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, so corporations (and unions/associations) can make independent expenditures for electioneering communications. The Court rejected limits on independent spending because restricting money for ads or advocacy is, in their view, restricting political speech. This built on Buckley v. Valeo (1976), which treated spending limits as speech limits, and it struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) that tried to curb corporate-funded ads. Practically, Citizens United led to Super PACs and more “independent expenditures” (not coordinated with campaigns), raising debates about free speech vs. fair elections (EK 5.11.A.1–2). For the AP exam, know the case’s First Amendment reasoning, the coordinated vs. independent distinction, and effects on campaign finance (see the Topic 5.11 study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU). For practice, check unit resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5) and 1000+ practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

PACs (political action committees) are organizations that collect contributions to give to candidates or spend on elections. Traditional PACs can donate limited amounts directly to candidates and coordinate with campaigns; they must follow FEC limits and disclose donors (hard money). Super PACs (independent-expenditure-only committees) can raise and spend unlimited funds on advertising but may NOT coordinate with campaigns and must disclose spending. 501(c)(4) “dark money” groups can spend on electioneering with little donor disclosure. How they differ from regular individual donations: individuals give directly to a candidate (subject to contribution limits and disclosure), while PACs pool many donors to amplify impact, can run independent expenditures (often large ads), bundle donations, and fund targeted campaign strategies. Court cases (Citizens United) and laws (McCain-Feingold/BCRA) shape these rules—know this for LO 5.11.A and EK 5.11.A in the CED. For a deeper review, see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

Think of campaign finance as rules about who can give money, how much, and whether spending counts as candidate speech. Basics: "Hard money" = regulated contributions to candidates (limits, disclosure). "Soft money" = unregulated party funds (banned by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act/McCain-Feingold in 2002). The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces federal rules. Key court cases: Buckley v. Valeo said spending is protected speech (so limits on spending are tricky); Citizens United allowed corporations/unions to spend independently—that helped create Super PACs (can raise/spend unlimited sums but must make independent expenditures and disclose donors). 501(c)(4) groups can spend on politics with limited disclosure ("dark money"). Coordinated expenditures = treated like candidate spending; independent expenditures = not coordinated and often unlimited. For the AP exam, know the laws, Supreme Court holdings, PAC types, disclosure vs. dark money, and coordinated vs. independent spending. Review the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government) to prep.

Start with a clear thesis that answers the prompt (e.g., “Because the courts treat money as speech, campaign finance rules must balance First Amendment protections with fair elections”). Quickly define the debate: money as free speech vs. protecting competitive/fair elections (use CED terms: Citizens United v. FEC, Buckley v. Valeo, McCain-Feingold/BCRA, soft money, Super PACs, independent expenditures). Body: give 2–3 specific pieces of evidence (one can be a Supreme Court case + one law). Explain how each supports your claim (causation): e.g., Citizens United expanded corporate independent expenditures → more outside spending → questions about influence and disclosure. Then connect to election effects (access, policymaking, bundling). Counterargument: acknowledge free-speech rationale, then rebut (explain why disclosure or limits on coordinated spending still protect speech while promoting fairness). End with a brief conclusion linking back to the thesis. Follow AP FRQ rules: clear thesis, specific evidence, reasoning, and a refutation of an alternate view (the Argument Essay rubric). For review, see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and unit resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5). Practice FRQs at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

Regular PACs (political action committees) and Super PACs both raise money to influence elections, but they work differently. Regular PACs can give limited “hard money” contributions directly to candidates and parties (subject to FEC limits) and may coordinate with campaigns. Super PACs (created after Citizens United and SpeechNow) can raise and spend unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, unions, and associations—but they can only make independent expenditures (can’t coordinate with a candidate or campaign). Super PACs must disclose donors to the FEC, though “dark money” groups (like some 501(c)(4)s) can hide sources. Key CED terms: independent expenditures vs coordinated expenditures, Citizens United v. FEC, Federal Election Commission. For more AP-aligned review on campaign finance, see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and plenty of practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

People argue campaign finance laws restrict free speech because the Supreme Court has treated political spending as a form of First Amendment expression. Key cases (like Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC) found limits on independent political spending—by individuals, corporations, unions—can reduce the ability to communicate political messages. So when laws cap expenditures or ban certain kinds of contributions, critics say they’re cutting off a way people and groups speak about elections and policy. Supporters of limits counter that big money can drown out other voices and harm fair elections, so restrictions (and disclosure rules) protect democratic competition. On the AP exam you should connect these debates to cases (Citizens United, Buckley), terms like independent expenditures, Super PACs, soft vs. hard money, and tradeoffs between free speech and fair elections. For a focused review, see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

Unlimited corporate spending—made legal in key part by Citizens United v. FEC (2010)—can undermine fair elections by amplifying wealthy organizations’ voices over ordinary voters. Corporations, PACs, Super PACs, and 501(c)(4) groups can make large independent expenditures and run electioneering communications (sometimes as “dark money” without full disclosure), which increases the potential for unequal influence on campaigns and policy. Because independent expenditures aren’t supposed to be coordinated with candidates, they avoid contribution limits; but massive spending still skews competition, helps shape media narratives, and pressures elected officials who rely on or fear opposing those dollars. On the AP exam, connect this to EK 5.11.A.1–A.2 (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, Citizens United, debate over free speech vs. fair elections), and discuss disclosure, coordinated vs. independent expenditures, and public financing as remedies. For a focused review, see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5). Practice questions: https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government.

For strict campaign finance regulations—arguments for: they reduce corruption or the appearance of it by limiting big donors’ influence, level the playing field to promote competitive and fair elections, curb “dark money” (501(c)(4)s) and unregulated independent expenditures, and increase transparency through disclosure rules and FEC oversight (helps voters make informed choices). Arguments against: strict limits can clash with First Amendment protections of political speech (see Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo), push spending into independent groups like Super PACs that skirt coordination rules, and make enforcement costly or politicized. Historic laws and cases (McCain-Feingold/BCRA, Citizens United) show the tradeoff between preventing undue influence and protecting free speech. For AP prep, you should be able to link these pros/cons to EK 5.11.A.1–A.3 and name institutions (FEC, PACs, Super PACs)—see the Topic 5.11 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).

Campaign finance rules shape who gets seen, heard, and viable. Limits on contributions and disclosure rules (FEC, hard vs. soft money) try to reduce corruption and increase transparency, while court rulings (Buckley v. Valeo, Citizens United) treat spending as protected speech, allowing corporations, unions, and Super PACs to make large independent expenditures. That means wealthy donors and outside groups can pay for ads, mail, and turnout efforts that boost name recognition and sway undecided voters—often deciding close races. BCRA/McCain-Feingold tried to curb soft money and require “I approve this message” disclosures, but independent/“dark money” 501(c)(4) spending still influences outcomes. For the AP exam, connect these rules and cases to LO 5.11.A (how organization, finance, strategies affect elections). Review the Topic 5.11 study guide for specifics (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-government/unit-5/campaign-finance/study-guide/VIl9E5CBVBluGH6AntwU) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-government).