Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act

This bill aims to crack down on hidden campaign coordination. If a person or group spends money on election communications or activities in a way that follows a candidate’s or party committee’s instructions, directions, guidance, or suggestions, that spending would count as “coordinated” with the campaign—even if the tips were posted publicly or passed along indirectly. The Commission must look for certain signs. If one or more signs are present, the spending is presumed coordinated. These signs include: telling people to share information about a clearly named candidate or party; giving a target audience (like location, demographics, or party); suggesting methods (mail, audio, video, social media, digital, etc.); providing phrases, images, video, or audio that later get used; or using a special signal or cue. The Commission may also consider other relevant factors.

Key points:

• Who is affected: candidates, their campaign committees, national, state, and local party committees, and anyone spending money on election communications or activities.
• What changes: outside spending that is materially consistent with a candidate’s or party’s guidance is treated as coordinated, even when the guidance is public or indirect.
• How it’s decided: the Commission uses the listed signs; if any apply, coordination is presumed.
• When it takes effect: applies to expenditures made on or after the date this bill becomes law.