Political law

Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC

Political law (or political activity law[1]) is an established legal practice area encompassing the intersection of politics and law. Political law comprises election law, voting rights law, campaign finance law, laws governing lobbying and lobbyists, open government laws, legislative and executive branch ethics codes, legislative procedure, administrative procedure, constitutional law, and legislative and regulatory drafting.[2][3] Political laws are applied primarily to government officials, candidates, advocacy groups, lobbyists, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and trade unions.

At the federal level, the Federal Election Commission enforces campaign finance law with respect to races for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and the presidency.[4] Campaigns for federal office are subject to contribution limits and certain contributions are prohibited. The Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section (PIN) has jurisdiction involving alleged criminal violations of many political laws.

At the state level, most states have administrative agencies to enforce state law with respect to campaign finance and ethics rules.[5] The attorney general of the state may also play a role in enforcement. Some local governments also maintain ethics agencies. At the state and local level these agencies might simply provide for disclosure of campaign finance registration and reporting forms (or lobbyist registration and reporting), or they may provide an enforcement scheme.

"Pay-to-play" restrictions are an example of political law. For instance, in the context of municipal securities dealers, rules promulgated by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board effectively prohibit certain individuals from contributing to the political funds of officials of issuers.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Caplin & Drysdale's political activity law page". Capdale.com. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  2. ↑ Political Law Group
  3. ↑ "Institute of Parliamentary and Political Law". Econcordia.com. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  4. ↑ FEC
  5. ↑ "National Conference of State Legislatures list of state ethics commissions". Ncsl.org. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  6. ↑ Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Rule G-37. MSRB Rule G-37

External links