The primary difference between a Political Action Committee (PAC) and a Super PAC lies in funding limits and the regulations governing their activities in U.S. elections.
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Political Action Committee (PAC):
- Contribution Limits: PACs can only accept a limited amount of money from individuals and other organizations. For instance, a traditional PAC can contribute up to $5,000 directly to a candidate's campaign.
- Coordination: PACs can coordinate directly with candidates and their campaigns. They can support specific candidates and political parties, and their activities are subject to federal regulations regarding campaign finance.
- Spending: PACs can spend money on behalf of candidates, but they must do so within the contribution limits and regulations.
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Super PAC:
- No Contribution Limits: Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations, and unions. They can accept large donations from a single source without limits.
- Independence: Super PACs are not allowed to coordinate with candidates or their campaigns. They operate independently and can spend money on advertisements and other communications that support or oppose candidates.
- Spending Power: Due to their ability to raise unlimited funds, Super PACs can engage in significant campaign spending, often influencing elections through advertising and advocacy efforts.
In summary, the core differences between PACs and Super PACs are the limits on contributions and the level of coordination with candidates' campaigns.