PACs and Super PACs in Campaign Financing

Very Hard Unit 5: Political Participation Political Action Committees

Political Action Committees (PACs) have a varied influence on electoral outcomes and political processes in the United States. However, the role and regulations surrounding PACs can sometimes be misunderstood. By definition, PACs are limited in how much they can contribute directly to candidates but can raise unlimited amounts of money for independent expenditures supporting or opposing a candidate. With the implementation of the Citizens United v. FEC ruling in 2010, the landscape for political spending dramatically shifted. This ruling allowed for the establishment of Super PACs, which are a distinct type of PAC that can accept unlimited contributions but cannot coordinate directly with candidates or parties. Given this context, which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between PACs, Super PACs, and campaign financing?

PACs can contribute unlimited funds directly to candidates, while Super PACs cannot make direct contributions.

Super PACs are allowed to coordinate directly with the campaigns they support, unlike traditional PACs.

Regular PACs are limited in their contributions to candidates but can raise unlimited funds for independent expenditures, similar to Super PACs.

Both PACs and Super PACs are subject to the same federal contribution limits when supporting candidates.

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