Be Wary of Unregistered Anti-Incumbent Organizations

They will have a page of their own on the FEC web site, reporting their revenues and expenses and debts. Here is VOID's FEC page. They will have an IRS employer ID number, regardless of whether they have employees or not. When contemplating contributing to an anti-incumbent organization, first check their main web page to see if they list these items.

If they don't, or, you can't find their page on the FEC web site, they are likely run by an individual seeking to make a living off of unsuspecting citizens wanting to champion a great cause. Such individuals are not only operating outside the law, but, they are very likely cheating you and us by failing to register with their State Comptroller and paying taxes on their revenues. Political action committees are not tax exempt, and are not charitable organizations, though they are required to operate like a not for profit organization. Whether their income is spent on the anti-incumbent cause or, the purchase of their next Lexus, cannot be determined if their organization is not registered and in compliance with full disclosure laws for political action committees.

Advocating against incumbents is political campaigning, whether individual candidates are named or not, according to federal law. Whether such campaigning falls under the category of blogging or, political action organization is defined by the $1000 annual expenses measure and solicitation of donations or sale of campaign materials.

It is important not to mistake anti-incumbent bloggers with anti-incumbent organizations. Bloggers who simply voice their opinions, have expenses less than $1000 per year, and do not solicit donations through the purchase of memberships or election campaign materials, are not required to register as a non-profit political action committee. One major tell-tale difference between an anti-incumbent blogger and anti-incumbent organization is whether they are selling campaign materials and memberships to their readers.

If they are simply asking for donations to support their blog, they are likely just a blogger exercising their 1st Amendment right. If on the other hand, they are asking for donations for memberships, selling anti-incumbent services, or campaign materials like T-shirts and bumper stickers in excess of $1000 in expenses for such items and their web site costs, they are required to register and operate under state and federal laws for political organizations. If they don't have an IRS employer ID number and an FEC page disclosing their revenues and expenditures, they are operating outside the law and your contributions may likely be going to an individual making a living off your donations.

Please be aware, this information is being provided by one who has undertaken the legal registration and disclosure compliance laws and regulations for VOID. I am not an attorney, and therefore, the information provided herein, is based on personal experience in referencing and complying with such laws, and should not be construed as legal advice.

By all means, support your favorite anti-incumbent blogger, or organization. Be aware, however, of just who it is you are giving your financial support to, and for what purposes. VOID has no employees, and no one on VOID's Board of Directors, or within the VOID organization receives a cent of supporter contributions and donations. All revenues from VOID operations are spent on the operating expenses for growing the anti-incumbent movement in a legal, and fully disclosed manner. Be sure other anti-incumbent organizations you contribute to are doing the same.

VOID Federal ID # 83-0445374

VOID's FEC page.

VOID's Texas Tax Entity Certification.

By David R. Remer
Published: March 31, 2010 3:59 PM
0 Votes