Definition of PACs and Super PACs for AP Government

📚 What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?

Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations in the United States that collect and distribute money to political campaigns. They are formed by corporations, labor unions, or other interest groups to support candidates or parties.

• 💰 Definition: Officially, they are the fundraising arm of interest groups. Think of them as the 'official' way for organizations to influence elections.
• 📜 History: PACs really took off after campaign finance reforms in the 1970s limited individual contributions. This led to groups seeking alternative ways to support candidates.
• 🔑 Key Principles:
  • ⚖️ They operate under campaign finance laws, meaning they have limits on how much they can donate directly to a candidate ($5,000 per election).
  • 📢 Their primary goal is to advocate for specific policies or interests by supporting candidates who align with their views.
• 🏢 Real-world Example: The National Association of Realtors PAC (NARPAC) supports candidates who advocate for policies that benefit the real estate industry.

🗳️ What are Super PACs?

Super PACs, officially known as independent expenditure-only committees, are a more recent development. They can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.

• ♾️ Definition: They can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.
• 🗓️ History: Super PACs emerged after the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision and the SpeechNow.org ruling. These rulings determined that corporations and unions have the same free speech rights as individuals.
• 🔑 Key Principles:
  • 🗣️ Unlimited spending: The key difference from traditional PACs is that Super PACs have no limits on how much money they can spend.
  • 🚫 Independent expenditures only: They cannot directly coordinate with a candidate's campaign. Their spending must be independent.
• 📺 Real-world Example: Priorities USA Action is a Super PAC that has supported Democratic candidates, primarily through television advertising.

🆚 Key Differences Summarized

Here's a table summarizing the key differences between PACs and Super PACs:

🤔 The Impact on Elections

Both PACs and Super PACs play a significant role in US elections, influencing campaign messaging and voter turnout. Understanding their function and differences is vital for understanding modern campaigns.

• 📊 Increased Spending: Both contribute significantly to the overall amount of money spent in elections.
• 📣 Influence on Policy: They can sway policy decisions by supporting candidates who align with their interests.

✅ Conclusion

PACs and Super PACs are two distinct types of political committees that play different but important roles in American elections. PACs operate under stricter contribution limits and can coordinate with campaigns, while Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited money but must remain independent. Understanding the nuances of each is key to navigating the complex landscape of campaign finance. Good luck on your AP Gov exam! 👍