electioneering communications

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July 21, 2026

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Electioneering communications refer to political advertising that mentions a specific candidate and is broadcast within a certain timeframe before an election. These communications are regulated under U.S. campaign finance laws, primarily by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).1

Historically, laws like the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 restricted such advertising by corporations and unions. However, the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) significantly altered these regulations. The Court ruled that prohibiting corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds for independent electioneering communications violated their freedom of speech. This decision allows for greater spending on political advertising by these organizations, as long as it is independent of a candidate's campaign.123

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Buckley v. Valeo
Consequences and later developments
…and expenditures to include “electioneering communications” paid for with corporate or union general-treasury funds. (Electioneering communications were defined as broadcast political advertisements that refer clearly to a candidate and are made no more than 60 days before a general election or no more than 30 days before a primary…
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…and expenditures to include “electioneering communications” paid for with corporate or union general-treasury funds. (Electioneering communications were defined as broadcast political advertisements that refer clearly to a candidate and are made no more than 60 days before a general election or no more than 30 days before a primary…
Read More