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Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
Strict limits on the amount of money a particular corporation, union, or private individual could give to a
candidate in a federal election. It also required candidates and political action committees (PACs) to
disclose their receipts and identify their contributors. A 1974 amendment specified additional
contribution limits and imposed spending limits for candidates in primary and general elections;
however, the Supreme Court struck down the latter provision as unconstitutional in Buckley v. Valeo,
424 U.S. 1 (1976). The 1974 amendment also set up the Federal Election Commission and established
public funding of presidential elections. Two additional amendments (1976, 1979) were aimed at
regulating PACs and boosting the level of party participation.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Independent agency responsible for administering and enforcing laws that cover federal election
campaigns. The FEC oversees the public financing of presidential elections, ensures public disclosure of
campaign finance activities, monitors campaign contributions and expenditures, regulates the campaign
activities of political action committees (PACs), and investigates reports of violations. It is composed of
six commissioners appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Federal Election Inspector
A U.S. federal inspector general (IG) is the head of an independent, non-partisan organization
established within each executive branch agency assigned to audit the agency’s operation in order to
discover and investigate cases of misconduct, waste, fraud, and other abuse of government procedures
occurring within the agency.
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
Standards for federal computer systems developed by NIST. These standards are developed when there
are no existing industry standards to address federal requirements for system interoperability,
portability of data and software, and computer security.
Federal Observer
The Voting Rights Act permits federal observers to monitor procedures in polling places and at sites
where ballots are counted in eligible political subdivisions.
Federal Office
United States President, member of the U.S. Senate, or member of the House of Representatives.
Federal Postcard Application (FPCA)
Among the challenges military and overseas voters face are the wide variability in rules and procedures
governing registration and voting across states. The FPCA serves as a uniform registration and ballot
request application accepted in all U.S. states and territories.
Federal Service Voters
Active-duty military and family members and individuals, who vote while living abroad.
Federal Services Ballot
Ballot of active-duty military and family members and individuals, who vote while living abroad.