11 C.F.R. § 100.24 Federal election activity (2 U.S.C. 431(20)).
Title 11 - Federal Elections
(a) As used in this section, and in part 300 of this chapter, (1) In connection with an election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot means: (i) The period of time beginning on the date of the earliest filing deadline for access to the primary election ballot for Federal candidates as determined by State law, or in those States that do not conduct primaries, on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on the date of the general election, up to and including the date of any general runoff. (ii) The period beginning on the date on which the date of a special election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot is set and ending on the date of the special election. (iii) Voter Identification and Get-Out-the-Vote Activities Limited to Non-Federal Elections. (A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, in connection with an election in which a candidate for Federal office appears on the ballot does not include any activity or communication that is in connection with a non-Federal election that is held on a date separate from a date of any Federal election and that refers exclusively to: (1) Non-Federal candidates participating in the non-Federal election, provided the non-Federal candidates are not also Federal candidates; (2) Ballot referenda or initiatives scheduled for the date of the non-Federal election; or (3) The date, polling hours and locations of the non-Federal election. (B) Paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section shall not apply to any activities or communications after September 1, 2007. (2) Voter registration activity means contacting individuals by telephone, in person, or by other individualized means to assist them in registering to vote. Voter registration activity includes, but is not limited to, printing and distributing registration and voting information, providing individuals with voter registration forms, and assisting individuals in the completion and filing of such forms. (3) Get-out-the-vote activity means contacting registered voters by telephone, in person, or by other individualized means, to assist them in engaging in the act of voting. Get-out-the-vote activity includes, but is not limited to: (i) Providing to individual voters information such as the date of the election, the times when polling places are open, and the location of particular polling places; and (ii) Offering to transport or actually transporting voters to the polls. (4) Voter identification means acquiring information about potential voters, including, but not limited to, obtaining voter lists and creating or enhancing voter lists by verifying or adding information about the voters' likelihood of voting in an upcoming election or their likelihood of voting for specific candidates. The date a voter list is acquired shall govern whether a State, district, or local party committee has obtained a voter list within the meaning of this section. (b) As used in part 300 of this chapter, Federal election activity means any of the activities described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section. (1) Voter registration activity during the period that begins on the date that is 120 calendar days before the date that a regularly scheduled Federal election is held and ends on the date of the election. For purposes of voter registration activity, the term “election” does not include any special election. (2) The following activities conducted in connection with an election in which one or more candidates for Federal office appears on the ballot (regardless of whether one or more candidates for State or local office also appears on the ballot): (i) Voter identification. (ii) Generic campaign activity, as defined in 11 CFR 100.25. (iii) Get-out-the-vote activity. (3) A public communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office, regardless of whether a candidate for State or local election is also mentioned or identified, and that promotes or supports, or attacks or opposes any candidate for Federal office. This paragraph applies whether or not the communication expressly advocates a vote for or against a Federal candidate. (4) Services provided during any month by an employee of a State, district, or local committee of a political party who spends more than 25 percent of that individual's compensated time during that month on activities in connection with a Federal election. (c) Exceptions. Federal election activity does not include any amount expended or disbursed by a State, district, or local committee of a political party for any of the following activities: (1) A public communication that refers solely to one or more clearly identified candidates for State or local office and that does not promote or support, or attack or oppose a clearly identified candidate for Federal office; provided, however, that such a public communication shall be considered a Federal election activity if it constitutes voter registration activity, generic campaign activity, get-out-the-vote activity, or voter identification. (2) A contribution to a candidate for State or local office, provided the contribution is not designated to pay for voter registration activity, voter identification, generic campaign activity, get-out-the-vote activity, a public communication, or employee services as set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section. (3) The costs of a State, district, or local political convention, meeting or conference. (4) The costs of grassroots campaign materials, including buttons, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, and yard signs, that name or depict only candidates for State or local office. [67 FR 49110, July 29, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 8932, Feb. 22, 2006; 71 FR 14360, Mar. 22, 2006]
Title 11: Federal Elections
PART 100—SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (2 U.S.C. 431)
Subpart A—General Definitions
§ 100.24 Federal election activity (2 U.S.C. 431(20)).
