Term Definition Example Effect

Interest A collection of people who share Mothers These groups present

Groups a common interest or attitude Against Drunk issues to the
and seek to influence Driving government and raise
government for specific ends. (MADD) awareness about their
Interest groups usually work interest
within the framework of
government and try to achieve
their goals through tactics such
as lobbying.
Lobbyists An individual who is Groups like These people prevent
compensated to communicate BIPAC will use issues to government
directly with government the internet to officials and in turn get
officials to influence legislative or reach their beneficial policy passed.
administrative action on behalf members and
of their employer or client. other people
and inform
them of their
opinions on
certain
political topics.
This is
lobbying.
PACs/Super PACs are organizations that raise If Marco Rubio Allowing interest groups
PACs and spend money to elect or raised money to financially support
defeat political candidates, for Donald candidates they like.
primarily at the federal and state Trump, she
levels. Super PACs, or would be the An increase in the
'independent expenditure-only head of a influence of wealthy
committees,' are organizations leadership corporations and
that can raise and spend PAC. donors.
unlimited amounts of money to
influence elections, as long as Priorities USA
they do not coordinate directly Action who
with candidates or political spends on
parties. media
campaigns to
support
democratic
candidates.
Bundling A tactic in which PACs collect Bundling can Increased donor groups
contributions from like-minded be done via influence on a candidate.
 individuals (each limited to computer so
$2,000) and present them to a contributions
candidate or political party as a to bundles
bundle. have gone up
in popularity in
the recent
elections.
Independent The Supreme Court has ruled Americans for Allow outside groups to
Expenditures that individuals, groups, and Hillary may influence elections.
parties can spend unlimited release a
amounts in campaigns for or campaign
against candidates as long as against Trump
they operate independently and spend
from the candidates. however much
they want to
do so as long
as Hillary
herself has no
part in it.
527 Groups A political organization that League of They influence elections
raises and spends unlimited Conservation and public policy by
money to influence elections Voters raising and spending
through voter mobilization. money on issue-oriented
campaigns.
Issue Ads Promoting a particular position If the NRA Influences public opinion
or an issue by interest groups promotes the
or individuals but not 2nd
candidates. Much issue Amendment
advocacy is often right to bare
electioneering for or against a arms in a
candidate and, until 2004 had commercial,
not been subject to regulation. they are
practicing
issue
advocacy.
Soft Money raised in unlimited Until 2004 soft Allows parties to raise
Money/Hard amounts by political parties for money could unlimited funds
Money party-building purposes. Now be donated to
largely illegal except for limited campaigns but Limits corruption from
contributions to state or local now it is illegal large donors.
parties for voter registration and for campaigns
get-out-the-vote efforts. to use soft
Refers to political donations that money in most
are regulated by law, specifically cases.
 by the Federal Election
Commission (FEC), and can only A person
be used for specific purposes donates
related to campaign financing. $2,000 to
These funds come from Kamala Harris’
individuals or political action campaign.
committees (PACs) and must
comply with strict limits on how
much can be contributed, which
ensures transparency and
accountability in the electoral
process
Bipartisan Largely banned party soft Mitch Limited soft money
Campaign money, restored long-standing McConnell contributions and led to
Reform Act prohibition on corporations and challenged this the rise of super pacs.
labor unions use of general act and
treasury funds for electoral questioned its
purposes, and narrowed the Constitutionali
definition of issue advocacy. ty.

What, in your opinion, is the effect of money on our political system?

Money creates an increased influence in wealthy donors in the outcome of elections. This leads
to more corruption and unequal representation of all people.