What it actually is

A PAC, or political action committee, is a group that collects money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. PACs are created by businesses, labor unions, trade associations, advocacy groups, membership organizations, or by individuals who want to pool resources for political activity.

PACs that participate in federal elections must register with the Federal Election Commission and file reports that disclose contributions and spending. Traditional (sometimes called "connected" or "nonconnected") PACs are subject to federal limits on how much they can accept from some donors and on how much they can give directly to candidates and party committees.

How it works

Individuals, members, employees, or supporters give money to the PAC, and the PAC uses those funds for contributions to candidates, donations to parties, or election-related communications. Traditional PACs can make direct contributions to candidates and party committees but must follow legal contribution limits and file disclosure reports with the FEC.

There is also a different kind of group called a Super PAC (independent expenditure-only committee). Super PACs may raise and spend unlimited amounts for independent advertising and other independent expenditures, but they are not allowed to coordinate their spending with a candidate's campaign. Super PACs also must file reports with the FEC.

A real example

Many well-known interest groups and organizations maintain PACs that give to candidates whose positions align with their members' or stakeholders' interests. Federal PACs file regular reports with the FEC that disclose contributions and expenditures, so the public can see official records of which candidates and committees are receiving support.

Why it matters to you

PACs are a common way for groups and individuals to influence who runs and wins elected office — either by giving directly to candidates and party committees or by funding ads and outreach. Knowing which PACs support a candidate helps voters understand which interests are backing them.

If you belong to a group or union, you may be asked to contribute to its PAC; that is one way people pool smaller donations to have a larger collective impact than an individual gift alone.

Common misunderstandings

People often use “PAC” and “Super PAC” interchangeably, but they operate under different rules: traditional PACs have contribution limits and can give directly to candidates and parties, while Super PACs cannot give to campaigns and may accept unlimited funds for independent spending.

Another misconception is that PAC money is anonymous — federal PACs must disclose contributors and expenditures in FEC filings. At the same time, money can move through other entities or complex arrangements that can make tracing original sources harder.