Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across all legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
        Legal resources
- ›
        Court cases
- ›
      FEC v. NEA

FEC v. NEA 
 Summary
 Summary

  
  
    On July 20, 1978, the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia granted the Commission's motion for summary judgment in this case. The FEC had filed suit against the National Education Association (NEA), its separate segregated fund (NEA-PAC) and eighteen of its state affiliates seeking to enjoin them from collecting political contributions by means of a "reverse checkoff" procedure. Under this procedure, a political contribution is automatically deducted from a member's salary along with his/her dues payment. The contribution is subsequently refundable upon written request by the member.In addition to granting summary judgment, the court issued the following orders:Defendants are permanently enjoined from using the reverse check-off procedure to collect political contributions to NEA-PAC.Defendants, in consultation with the Commission, must prepare a plan by which its members will be informed of the suit and the decision of the court. In addition, the plan must provide a method by which the members are afforded an opportunity to obtain, at no expense to them and with minimal effort, a refund of any monies deducted from the paychecks through the reverse check-off. The plan must be presented to the court by August 25, 1978.Defendants' counterclaim against the Commission was dismissed.On November 2, 1978, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the NEA to obtain written affirmation from participants in the reverse check-off programs of their intent to make a political contribution to its separate segregated fund, NEA-PAC. The court set April 1, 1979, as the deadline for obtaining each member's written consent to the contributions they had made through the reverse check-off procedure. NEA was further required to return funds to individuals who do not submit the affirmation.Source: FEC Record — January 1979; September 1978. FEC v. National Education Association, 457 F. Supp. 1102 (D.D.C. 1978).


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.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          No FEAR Act
          Strategy, budget and performance
 Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
          FOIA
 OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms