Updating the FEC for the 21st Century: A Reform Blueprint

A Proposal for Effective Change 

Created 50 years ago this week, the Federal Election Commission plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of elections in the United States. However, as times change and challenges evolve, it is imperative that the FEC adapts to better serve the needs of the electorate and candidates alike. We've outlined potential reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the FEC, including removing street addresses from donation data files, indexing PAC donation limits to inflation, and allowing unlimited coordination between campaigns and national party committees. 

Protecting Donor Privacy: Removing Street Addresses 

One of the foremost concerns regarding political donations is the privacy of donors. Currently, the FEC requires that donation data files include street addresses, which poses significant risks to donor privacy. This disclosure can lead to unwanted solicitations, privacy invasions, and potential harassment. 

To safeguard donor privacy, we propose the removal of street addresses from donation data files. Instead, a city and state should suffice for transparency purposes. This reform will protect donors from privacy breaches while maintaining the necessary transparency in campaign finance. By limiting the information available to the public, donors can contribute to their preferred candidates without fear of their personal information being misused or exposed. 

Indexing PAC Donation Limits to Inflation 

Political Action Committees play a significant role in campaign finance by pooling contributions from multiple donors to support candidates and causes. However, the current PAC donation limits are not indexed to inflation, which can restrict the effectiveness of PACs as inflation erodes the real value of contributions over time. 

To address this issue, we propose indexing PAC donation limits to inflation. This reform will ensure that PACs have financial flexibility to adequately support their chosen candidates and causes. By adjusting limits to reflect inflation, the FEC can maintain the relevance and potency of PAC contributions in the ever-evolving economic landscape. 

Refocusing the Response Analysis Division 

Another critical reform is the need to refocus the efforts of the Response Analysis Division on major violations rather than minor infractions, such as missing employer and occupation data. RAD analysts currently spend a disproportionate amount of time addressing these minor issues, which detracts from their ability to tackle more significant violations that have a greater impact on the integrity of our elections. 

We advocate for a policy where RAD analysts are not permitted to request additional information regarding excessive donations unless it is clearly determined that the excess has not been resolved within the allowed 60-day period. By implementing this change, the FEC can ensure that its resources are allocated more efficiently, prioritizing major violations that threaten the electoral process and reducing the burden on campaigns to address minor compliance issues. 

Refining Accountability in Alternative Dispute Resolutions 

Ensuring accountability in campaign finance is of paramount importance. Currently, when fines and enforcement actions are imposed, they are disclosed as being taken against the current treasurer, irrespective of who was in position at the time of the violation. This practice unfairly tarnishes the reputation of new team members while allowing bad actors to evade responsibility. 

To address this issue, we propose changing the reporting process of alternative dispute resolutions. Enforcement actions should be attributed to the treasurer responsible at the time of the infraction, not the current treasurer. This adjustment will provide a more accurate public record, holding the correct individuals accountable and preserving the integrity of new team members. By implementing this change, we can ensure that bad actors are duly identified and prevent innocent successors from being wrongfully implicated. 

Allowing Unlimited Coordination Between Campaigns and National Party Committees 

Coordination between campaigns and national party committees is vital for a cohesive and effective election strategy. However, current regulations impose stringent limitations on this coordination, which can hinder the ability of parties to effectively support their candidates. 

We propose allowing unlimited coordination between campaigns and national party committees. This reform will enable parties to strategically allocate resources, share vital information, and provide comprehensive support to their candidates. By lifting these restrictions, we can foster a more unified and efficient electoral process, where parties are better equipped to compete and succeed. 

Conclusion 

The proposed reforms to the FEC aim to enhance privacy protections, prevent fundraising abuses, maintain the relevance of PAC contributions, and promote efficient coordination between campaigns and national party committees. These changes will contribute to a more transparent, fair, and effective electoral process, ensuring that the FEC can better serve the evolving needs of the American electorate. 

Implementing these reforms will require thoughtful deliberation and bipartisan cooperation. However, the benefits they bring to donor privacy, campaign finance, and overall electoral integrity are undeniable. By embracing these changes, we can strengthen the foundation of our democratic process and foster a political environment that values transparency, fairness, and efficiency. 

Let us move forward with these reforms to the FEC and create a system that better serves the needs of our democracy and its citizens for the next 50 years.