What are independent expenditures?

Independent expenditures refer to spending by individuals or organizations that is done independently of a candidate's campaign. This means that these expenditures are not coordinated with the candidate’s official campaign team. Such spending can include things like advertisements, flyers, or other forms of communication that promote or oppose a candidate or political issue, but are organized by individuals or groups rather than the candidate themselves.

The significance of independent expenditures lies in their ability to influence elections without the constraints that apply to candidate-funded campaigns. For instance, since these expenditures are made without the candidate's direct involvement, they are seen as a way for supporters to express their political preferences and contribute to a candidate’s success in a manner that complies with campaign finance laws.

This definition effectively distinguishes independent expenditures from other types of campaign funding, such as funds directly used by a candidate’s campaign team, personal campaign spending by individuals, or government-allocated funds. The independent nature of these expenditures is crucial for understanding how external influences can shape electoral outcomes.