Spending from outside groups, many with secret donors, soared to more than $33.6 million in Oklahoma’s election cycle this year, the highest recorded level in state history, according to data from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
- Political nonprofit “dark money” groups: Nonprofits organized under the federal tax code as social welfare, labor unions, agricultural, business or trade groups. Donations are not tax deductible.
- Required to publicly disclose donors? NO
- Can donate directly to candidates? NO
- Can purchase ads for/against candidates? YES
- Most funds can be used in elections? NO
- Can receive unlimited donations? YES
- Unlimited “Super” PACs: Organizations established under state or federal campaign laws through the Oklahoma Ethics Commission or similar government entities.
- Required to publicly disclose donors? YES
- Can donate directly to candidates? NO
- Can purchase ads for/against candidates? YES
- Most funds can be used in elections? YES
- Can receive unlimited donations? YES
- Limited “traditional” PACs: Organizations established under state or federal campaign laws through the Oklahoma Ethics Commission or similar government entities. The groups can be connected to a corporation or union or not and can support single or multiple candidates. The groups can be established as “leadership PACs” by a current or former elected official.
- Required to publicly disclose donors? YES
- Can donate directly to candidates? YES
- Can purchase ads for/against candidates? YES
- Most funds can be used in elections? YES
- Can receive unlimited donations? NO
- Hybrid PACs: Organizations established under state or federal campaign laws through the Ethics Commission or similar government entities, with a separate segregated bank account for independent expenditures and contributions.
- Required to publicly disclose donors? YES
- Can donate directly to candidates? YES
- Can purchase ads for/against candidates? YES
- Most funds can be used in elections? YES
- Can receive unlimited donations? YES
Source: The Federal Election Commission and The Campaign Legal Center
