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      Conducting voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives

Conducting voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives Targeted to the restricted class A corporation (including a trade association or incorporated membership organization) or labor organization may conduct voter registration and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) drives urging its restricted class to register with a particular party or to vote for a particular candidate. Transportation The corporation or labor organization may provide transportation to the place of registration or to the polls in connection with the voter registration or GOTV drive. Phone banks A corporation or labor organization may establish and operate phone banks to communicate with its restricted class, urging them to register and/or vote for a particular candidate or to register with a particular political party. Exemption for nonpartisan drives A voter registration or GOTV drive aimed at the restricted class will not be considered contributions or expenditures if the drive is nonpartisan. However, if the drive does not qualify as nonpartisan, then the expenditure must not be coordinated with a candidate or party committee or it will result in a prohibited contribution. Reporting When a corporation, labor organization, trade association or incorporated membership organization pays for express advocacy communications (including voter drives or get-out-the-vote drives) that are directed to the restricted class, it (rather than the SSF) must report the payments on Form 7, once the payments exceed $2,000 for any election.
 Learn more about making and reporting communications to the restricted class
 Targeted to the general public A corporation or labor organization may conduct registration and GOTV drives directed at the general public. In conducting this activity, the corporation or labor organization may expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the candidates of a clearly identified party (subject to the requirements for independent expenditures); however, voter registration and GOTV drives may not be coordinated with any candidate or any political party. Transportation The corporation or labor organization may provide transportation to the place of registration or to the polls in connection with the voter registration or GOTV drive. Exemption for certain drives A voter registration or GOTV drive is not a reportable expenditure if the following conditions are met: The corporation or labor organization must not make any express advocacy communications as part of the voter registration or GOTV drive;The voter registration drive must not be directed primarily to individuals previously, currently or intending to register with the political party favored by the corporation or labor organization;Registration information, voting assistance and other services must be made available without regard to the voter’s political preference, and must not be withheld or refused on the basis of support for or opposition to particular candidates or political party. This information must be provided in writing to those receiving such services at the time of the drive; andIndividuals conducting the drive must not be paid on the basis of the number of individuals registered or transported who support one or more particular candidate or political party.
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          Corporation and labor organization communications to restricted classDistributing publications to the restricted classEndorsing candidatesDistributing voting records to the general public Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 104.6Form and content of internal communications reports 11 CFR 109.21What is a coordinated communication? 11 CFR 114.3(c)(3)Disbursements for communications to the restricted class in connection with a federal election; Phone banks 11 CFR 114.3(c)(4)Disbursements for communications to the restricted class in connection with a Federal election; Registration and get-out-the-vote drives 11 CFR 114.4(c)Communications by a corporation or labor organization to the general public 11 CFR 114.4(d)Disbursements for communications by corporations and labor organizations beyond the restricted class in connection with a federal election; voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives
 Advisory opinions AO 1999-25Corporate sponsored website featuring information on federal candidates


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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