Global Electronics Association PAC

What is a PAC?
What does Global Electronics Association PAC do?
How is the Global Electronics Association PAC funded?
What is "prior authorization" and why do I/my company need to sign a form?
Who can sign the prior authorization form?
How is the Global Electronics Association PAC administered?
Does Global Electronics Association PAC support one political party over another?
How does Global Electronics Association PAC choose which elected officials to support?
Who is eligible to contribute to the Global Electronics Association PAC?
Are contributions to the Global Electronics Association PAC tax-deductible?
How can I get involved?

What is a PAC?

A federal Political Action Committee, or PAC, is an entity registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the purpose of raising funds from eligible individuals in order to support candidates for federal office. Individual companies are prohibited by law from giving corporate funds to federal candidates and campaigns.

Global Electronics Association PAC pools voluntary, personal financial contributions and uses these funds to put our support behind members of Congress who understand our industry’s policy issues.

Global Electronics Association PAC is funded solely through voluntary, personal contributions from the “eligible class” of Global Electronics Association employees and members. Corporate contributions are prohibited under federal law.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires the Global Electronics Association PAC to obtain written approval from Global Electronics Association members before it may solicit and accept contributions from employees of the member company.

Granting prior authorization does not obligate the company or its employees to support the Global Electronics Association PAC — it simply gives Global Electronics Association permission to communicate in much greater detail about the Global Electronics Association PAC to certain employees that are known as the “eligible class” (e.g. a member’s owners/principals, managers, professional personnel, and other salaried, exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act) and the Global Electronics Association PAC role in advancing and protecting the our industry’s interests in Washington.

Prior authorization may be granted by anyone who is authorized by the company. This includes the company’s chief executive or the owner/principal, but may also include those designated to represent the company.

The Global Electronics Association PAC is administered by the Global Electronics Association Government Relations Committee with input from Global Electronics Association government relations staff.

No. Global Electronics Association PAC does not support one political party over another.

The Global Electronics Association PAC contributes to candidates for U.S. federal office who support and promote policies that are important to the future of our industry.

Generally, individuals who are part of the “eligible class” may contribute to the Global Electronics Association PAC. This includes Global Electronics Association employees and Global Electronics Association member company employees who are considered “exempt” employees – meaning those who are exempt from the requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

Subject to further limitations mentioned below, all citizens of the United States (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories) and permanent resident aliens (green card holders residing in the United States) may contribute to the Global Electronics Association PAC.

Spouses of eligible Global Electronics Association employees who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are also eligible to contribute.

Foreign nationals, including individuals who are not citizens of the United States or not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, may not contribute to the PAC.

No. Under IRS rules, individual contributions to PACs are not tax-deductible.

The first step is to sign an Global Electronics Association PAC authorization form. Before we can ask for a contribution, federal election law requires us to first receive a signed prior authorization form from each Global Electronics Association member company. You can access the prior authorization form here.

You can also contact Richard Cappetto if you have any questions about the Global Electronics Association PAC or how to get involved.