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      Qualifying as a multicandidate committee

Qualifying as a multicandidate committee A nonconnected committee that has met the qualifications for multicandidate committee status may contribute up to $5,000 per candidate, per election. Qualification criteria To qualify as a multicandidate committee, a nonconnected committee must: Be registered with the FEC for at least six months;Receive contributions from at least 51 persons; andContribute to at least five federal candidates. As to the second and third qualification, there is no minimum amount that must be contributed to the PAC or to each of the five candidates. The five qualifying contributions to candidates may be made over more than one election cycle. Qualification by affiliation A nonconnected committee that is affiliated with a multicandidate committee automatically shares that committee’s $5,000 per-candidate limit. Notification of multicandidate committee status Once a committee qualifies for multicandidate status, the treasurer must file Form 1M, “Notification of Multicandidate Status.” Form 1M must be filed within 10 days of the date that the committee meets all criteria listed. The treasurer must also indicate on the Summary Page of each report filed that the committee has qualified as a multicandidate committee. When making contributions to candidates, a multicandidate committee must give the recipient candidate or campaign committee a written notification that it has qualified as a multicandidate committee. For convenience, the statement may be pre-printed on the committee’s checks, letterhead or other appropriate materials.
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          Contribution limits for nonconnected PACsDesignating contributions by nonconnected PACContributions made to party committees and PACs From the FEC Record 800 Line: Disclosing multicandidate status
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Continue learning about this topic Contributions 2023-2024
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3)Political committee 11 CFR 102.2(a)(3)When to file Form 1M 11 CFR 110.2(a)(2)Contributions by multicandidate political committees; Notice to recipients 11 CFR 110.2(b)Contributions to candidates; designations; and redesignations
 Advisory opinions AO 2013-09Multicandidate committee status AO 2012-06Redesignation of candidate committee's general election contributions to nonconnected committee AO 1983-19PAC established by joint venture corporation AO 1980-40Multicandidate committee status for affiliated committees


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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