FEC approves two advisory opinions

Advisory Opinion 2013-04 (Democratic Governors Association and Jobs & Opportunity). The Commission concluded that under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, (the Act) and Commission regulations, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is required to use federal funds to pay for voter registration, voter identification and general campaign activity that meet the definition of federal election activity. The Commission was unable to reach agreement by the required four affirmative votes on whether Jobs and Opportunity, which intends to be a separate 527 organization that will engage in independent spending in gubernatorial races, is required to use federal funds to pay for these activities.

Advisory Opinion 2013-12 (SEIU and SEIU COPE). The Commission approved an advisory opinion request from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its separate segregated fund, the SEIU Committee on Political Education (SEIU COPE). The Commission concluded that the requestors’ proposed use of recorded telephone conversations to establish restricted class members’ affirmative authorization of payroll contributions to SEIU COPE is consistent with the Act and Commission Regulations.

FEC.gov