Electioneering Communications

What is an electioneering communication?

An electioneering communication is any broadcast, cable or satellite communication that fulfills each of the following conditions:

The communication refers to a clearly identified federal candidate;

The communication is publicly distributed by a television station, radio station, cable television system or satellite system for a fee; and

The communication is distributed within 60 days prior to a general election or 30 days prior to a primary election to federal office.

View or download Electioneering Communication reports

What is disclosed in electioneering communication reports?

The report must, among other things, disclose:

The identification of the person who made the disbursement, or who executed a contract to make a disbursement, and the person's principal place of business if the person is not an individual;

The identification of any person sharing or exercising direction or control over the activities of the person who made the disbursement or executed the contract;

The amount of each disbursement in excess of $200 during the period covered by the statement, the date of the transaction and the person who received the funds;

All clearly identified candidates referred to in the electioneering communication and the elections in which they are candidates; and

The name and address of each donor who, since the first day of the preceding calendar year, has donated in the aggregate $1,000 or more to the person making the disbursements.

Search the Federal Communication Commission Electioneering Database

Determine whether a communication sent via a broadcast station, cable system and/or satellite system can or cannot reach 50,000 or more people in a particular Congressional District or State.

Who has to file reports on electioneering communications?

Any person who makes electioneering communications that aggregate more than $10,000 must file disclosure statements with the Commission within 24 hours of the date an electioneering communication is publicly distributed.

For more information on the rules and forms for electioneering communications click here.