FEC Increases Civil Penalties for Violations of Federal Election Laws

In final rules issued on June 15, 2005, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) made inflation adjustments increasing civil penalties for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. The penalty increases apply to violations occurring after June 15, 2005.

FECA places limits on the amounts that individuals, political parties and political action committees (PACs) may contribute in federal elections and requires candidates, political parties and PACs to disclose contributions and expenditures. FECA also prohibits corporations, foreign nationals, labor organizations and certain other organizations from contributing to federal elections. The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act place expenditure limits and reporting requirements on presidential candidates who receive federal campaign funding.