Glossary Definition:

Issue Ads/Advocacy: Any communication that does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of clearly identified federal candidate is termed issue advocacy. It does not primarily have to relate to policy issues rather than candidates. Before BCRA, FECA did not regulate issue advocacy. BCRA now regulates issue advocacy that qualifies as an "electioneering communication" and issue advocacy by any federal political committee.

Statutes and/or Regulations:

Definition of Electioneering Communication: 2 U.S.C. §§ 434(f) and 11 C.F.R. § 100.29.

Corporations/Unions and Electioneering Communications, 2 U.S.C. § 441b(c).

Electioneering Communications Generally: 11 C.F.R. §§ 110 and 114

BCRA Regulations, Generally

Related Forms:

FEC Disclosure Form to Report Electioneering Communications: Form and Instructions

Commentary:

"Issue Ad Disclosure: Recommendations for a New Approach," The Campaign Finance Institute

"Sneak Attack: Issue Ads Evade Limits," Paul Hendrie, The Center for Responsive Politics

"Campaign Finance Reform: A Legal Analysis of Issue and Express Advocacy," CRS Report for Congress

"Issue and Express Advocacy," Trevor Potter and Kirk L. Jowers, The Brookings Institution

The Campaign Finance Reform Sourcebook, The Brookings Institution

Reports:

Introduction to Issue Ads, The Campaign Finance Institute

Issue Ad Background and Data Charts, The Center for Responsive Politics

"Issue Advocacy Advertising During the 1996 Campaign," The Annenberg Public Policy Center , University of Pennsylvania