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Political Action Committees (PACs): Structure and Influence

Description: Political Action Committees (PACs): Structure and Influence
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: political science us politics campaign finance lobbying
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the primary purpose of a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

  1. To support a specific candidate or political party

  2. To raise awareness about a particular issue

  3. To lobby elected officials

  4. To conduct political research


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

PACs are formed to support specific candidates or political parties by raising and spending money on their behalf.

Who can contribute to a PAC?

  1. Individuals

  2. Corporations

  3. Labor unions

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Individuals, corporations, labor unions, and other organizations can all contribute to PACs.

What are the contribution limits for PACs?

  1. $5,000 per individual per election

  2. $10,000 per corporation per election

  3. $15,000 per labor union per election

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are no contribution limits for PACs, but they are required to disclose their donors and expenditures.

How do PACs spend their money?

  1. On advertising

  2. On direct mail

  3. On polling

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs can spend their money on a variety of activities, including advertising, direct mail, polling, and voter mobilization.

What is the role of PACs in the political process?

  1. To influence elections

  2. To lobby elected officials

  3. To raise awareness about issues

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs play a significant role in the political process by influencing elections, lobbying elected officials, and raising awareness about issues.

What are some of the criticisms of PACs?

  1. They give too much power to special interests

  2. They can be used to circumvent campaign finance laws

  3. They can lead to corruption

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs have been criticized for giving too much power to special interests, circumventing campaign finance laws, and leading to corruption.

What are some of the reforms that have been proposed to address the influence of PACs?

  1. Limiting the amount of money that PACs can raise and spend

  2. Requiring PACs to disclose their donors

  3. Prohibiting PACs from coordinating with candidates

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A variety of reforms have been proposed to address the influence of PACs, including limiting the amount of money they can raise and spend, requiring them to disclose their donors, and prohibiting them from coordinating with candidates.

Which of the following is NOT a type of PAC?

  1. Super PAC

  2. Leadership PAC

  3. 527 group

  4. Independent expenditure-only committee


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

527 groups are not PACs, but they are similar in that they can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections.

What is the difference between a PAC and a super PAC?

  1. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money

  2. Super PACs can coordinate with candidates

  3. Super PACs are not required to disclose their donors

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main difference between PACs and super PACs is that super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, while PACs are limited in how much they can raise and spend.

What is the role of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in regulating PACs?

  1. To enforce campaign finance laws

  2. To investigate violations of campaign finance laws

  3. To provide guidance to PACs on how to comply with campaign finance laws

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The FEC is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws, investigating violations of campaign finance laws, and providing guidance to PACs on how to comply with campaign finance laws.

Which of the following is NOT a way that PACs can influence elections?

  1. By donating money to candidates

  2. By running independent expenditures

  3. By coordinating with candidates

  4. By lobbying elected officials


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs cannot lobby elected officials, but they can donate money to candidates, run independent expenditures, and coordinate with candidates.

What is the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court case?

  1. A case that overturned the ban on corporate and union spending in elections

  2. A case that upheld the ban on corporate and union spending in elections

  3. A case that ruled that PACs are unconstitutional

  4. A case that ruled that super PACs are unconstitutional


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court case overturned the ban on corporate and union spending in elections, which allowed PACs to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money.

Which of the following is NOT a type of independent expenditure?

  1. A communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate

  2. A communication that is coordinated with a candidate

  3. A communication that is made by a PAC

  4. A communication that is made by a super PAC


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

PACs cannot make independent expenditures, but super PACs can.

What is the role of PACs in the modern political landscape?

  1. PACs are a major source of funding for candidates and political parties

  2. PACs can influence elections by running independent expenditures

  3. PACs can lobby elected officials

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs play a significant role in the modern political landscape by providing funding for candidates and political parties, running independent expenditures, and lobbying elected officials.

What are some of the challenges facing PACs in the future?

  1. The rising cost of elections

  2. The increasing influence of super PACs

  3. The changing media landscape

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

PACs face a number of challenges in the future, including the rising cost of elections, the increasing influence of super PACs, and the changing media landscape.

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