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      Coordinated communications periods: special elections (2023-24)

# Coordinated communications periods: special elections (2023-24)

When a person pays for a communication that is coordinated with a candidate, a candidate’s authorized committee, or their agents, or a political party committee or its agents, the communication is considered an in-kind contribution to that candidate or party committee and is subject to the limits, prohibitions and reporting requirements of the federal campaign finance law. FEC regulations establish a three-prong test to determine whether a communication is coordinated. All three prongs of the test—payment, content and conduct—must be met for a communication to be deemed coordinated and thus an in-kind contribution.


One provision identifies certain pre-election time frames during which a public communication that references a candidate will satisfy the content prong of the coordination test.


Learn more about coordinated communications


The following chart provides a breakdown of the 90-day coordinated communications (CC) periods for 2023-24 special elections. For a chronological listing, consult the FEC Calendar.


NOTE: For communications that refer to both a party and a clearly identified federal candidate please consult the regulations at 11 CFR 109.21(c)(4)(i)-(iv).





Coordinated communications periods for 2023-24 special elections


Special electionElection dateCC period (90-days priorthrough election date)California SenateSpecial Primary03/05/202412/06/2023 - 03/05/2024California SenateSpecial General11/05/202408/07/2024 - 11/05/2024New York 3rd Congressional DistrictSpecial General02/13/202411/15/2023 - 02/13/2024Rhode Island 1st Congressional DistrictSpecial Primary09/05/202306/07/2023 - 09/05/2023Rhode Island 1st Congressional DistrictSpecial General11/07/202308/09/2023 - 11/07/2023Utah 2nd Congressional DistrictSpecial Primary09/05/202306/07/2023 - 09/05/2023Utah 2nd Congressional DistrictSpecial General11/21/202308/23/2023 - 11/21/2023Virginia 4th Congressional DistrictSpecial General02/21/202311/23/2022 - 02/21/2023





Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 109.21(c)(4)What is a “coordinated communication”?


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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