Coercion and intimidation are unethical practices that violate the donor's right to make a voluntary and informed decision.

Campaign finance regulations aim to level the playing field and prevent wealthy individuals or special interests from dominating the electoral process.

Hard money contributions are subject to contribution limits and can be used for campaign expenses, while soft money contributions are not subject to limits and cannot be used for campaign expenses. Hard money is regulated by the Federal Election Commission, while soft money is not.

PACs are organizations that raise and spend money to influence elections, promote particular causes or issues, and provide financial support to candidates.

527 organizations can make independent expenditures, but they are subject to contribution limits. Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions, but they cannot make independent expenditures.

The FEC is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws and regulations, providing guidance and advice to candidates and committees, and conducting audits and investigations of campaign finances.

Transparency and accountability in fundraising help to prevent corruption and undue influence, build trust and confidence in the electoral process, and allow voters to make informed decisions about candidates.

Common ethical issues in fundraising include conflicts of interest, misuse of campaign funds, and coercion and intimidation of donors.

Candidates and committees can avoid ethical issues in fundraising by following campaign finance laws and regulations, being transparent and accountable with their finances, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Violating campaign finance laws and regulations can result in fines and penalties, loss of campaign funds, and disqualification from office.

Donors play a role in maintaining fundraising ethics by being informed about campaign finance laws and regulations, asking questions about how their contributions will be used, and reporting any suspicious or unethical fundraising practices.

Ethical fundraising practices help to ensure fair and competitive elections, build trust and confidence in the electoral process, and allow voters to make informed decisions about candidates.

We can promote ethical fundraising practices in politics by educating candidates and committees about campaign finance laws and regulations, encouraging transparency and accountability in fundraising, and supporting organizations that work to promote ethical fundraising.

Recent examples of ethical issues in fundraising that have made headlines include the Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia, the Clinton Foundation's alleged pay-to-play scandal, and the Koch brothers' alleged influence on the Republican Party.

We can hold politicians and political parties accountable for ethical fundraising practices by voting for candidates who have pledged to uphold ethical fundraising standards, donating to organizations that work to promote ethical fundraising, and contacting our elected officials and expressing our concerns about unethical fundraising practices.