Federal Election Commission

999 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20463

202-694-1100
800-424-9530
http://www.fec.gov

CHAIR	Steven T. Walther
Vice Chair	Caroline C. Hunter
Commissioner	Lee E. Goodman
Commissioner	Matthew S. Petersen
Commissioner	Ellen L. Weintraub
Commissioner	Vacant
Staff Director	Alec Palmer
Chief Financial Officer	Gilbert Ford, Acting
General Counsel	Lisa J. Stevenson, Acting
Inspector General	Vacant

The Federal Election Commission provides public disclosure of campaign finance activities and ensures compliance with campaign finance laws and regulations.

Organizational Chart

The Federal Election Commission is an independent agency established by section 309 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30106). It comprises six Commissioners whom the President appoints with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Act also provides for three statutory officers—the staff director, the general counsel, and the inspector general—whom the Commissioners appoint.

https://transition.fec.gov/about/offices/offices.shtml

Activities

The Commission administers and enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), and the Revenue Act, as amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). These laws provide for the public funding of Presidential elections, public disclosure of the financial activities of political committees involved in Federal elections, and limitations and prohibitions on contributions and expenditures made to influence Federal elections.

Public Funding of Presidential Elections

The Commission oversees the public financing of Presidential elections by certifying Federal payments to primary candidates and general election nominees. It also audits recipients of Federal funds and may require repayment to the U.S. Treasury if a committee has made nonqualified campaign expenditures.

Disclosure

The Commission ensures public disclosure of the campaign finance activities reported by political committees supporting Federal candidates. These committees regularly file reports disclosing the sources of campaign money and how that money is spent. The Commission places these reports on the public record within 48 hours after they are received and digitizes the data contained in them.

http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_disclosure.shtml

Sources of Information

Congressional Affairs

This Office of Congressional, Legislative, and Intergovernmental Affairs serves as the Commission's primary congressional and executive branch liaison. Phone, 202-694-1006.

https://transition.fec.gov/about/offices/cong_affairs/cong_affairs.shtml | Email: congress@fec.gov

Data

Data tables summarizing campaign financial activity by filer type, election cycle, and reporting period are available online.

http://www.fec.gov/press/campaign_finance_statistics.shtml

Career Opportunities

The Commission posts available positions on its Web site. Sign up online to receive email updates regarding employment opportunities. Information is also available from the Office of Human Resources. Phone, 202-694-1080.

http://www.fec.gov/pages/jobs/jobs.shtml | Email: fecjobs@fec.gov

Filing

Information is available online to help filers comply with the disclosure requirements of the Federal campaign finance law.

http://www.fec.gov/info/filing.shtml

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

FOIA requests may be submitted by email or fax or sent by mail to the Federal Election Commission, Attn: FOIA Requester Service Center, Room 408, 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20463. Fax, 202-219-1043.

http://www.fec.gov/press/foia.shtml | Email: FOIA@fec.gov

General Inquiries

The Information Division informs and assists Federal candidates, political committees, and the public. It answers questions on campaign finance laws, conducts workshops and seminars on these laws, and distributes publications and forms. Phone, 202-694-1100 or 800-424-9530. TDD, 202-219-3336.

http://www.fec.gov/pages/contact.shtml | Email: info@fec.gov

Law Library

The library contains a collection of basic legal research resources on political campaign financing, corporate and labor political activity, and campaign finance reform. It is open to the public on weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., except on Federal holidays. Phone, 202-694-1516 or 800-424-9530.

http://www.fec.gov/general/library.shtml

Media Inquiries

The Press Office answers questions from media sources, issues press releases on Commission actions and statistical data, responds to requests for information, and distributes other materials. Phone, 202-694-1220.

http://www.fec.gov/press/index.shtml | Email: press@fec.gov

Public Records

The Public Records Branch, located at 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC, provides space for public inspection of campaign finance reports and statements after 1971. It is open to the public on weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., except on Federal holidays. Phone, 202-694-1120 or 800-424-9530.

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/publicrecordsoffice.shtml | Email: pubrec@fec.gov http://www.fec.gov/pages/contact.shtml

For further information, contact the Information Division, Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20463. Phone, 202-694-1100 or 800-424-9530 (option 6).