Political parties seek guidance on national convention expenses

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently teamed up to seek guidance from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) related to financing of the 2016 national conventions. The DNC and RNC requested an opinion on mechanisms for funding expenses associated with nominating conventions.

Costs for convention-related activities have traditionally been paid with public funds raised from the $3 tax checkoff, but a new law passed this year eliminated the funding. The national parties must now make up the resulting monetary shortfall and are asking the FEC to allow them to either create separate committees or establish a convention committee. The parties are asking the FEC to establish separate contribution limits for the new committees, and suggest that they be funded with hard-dollar contributions.