Issue Advertisement

An issue advertisement is an advertisement which avoids explicitly calling for the election or defeat of a federal candidate[1]. A common strategy is for an issue ad to suggest viewers “call their representative” with a message about an issue. Issue ads were common because they could be funded with soft money (including money from corporate and union treasuries, which are prohibited from making direct contributions)[2].

BCRA sought to curb the influence of issue ads funded with soft money. The limits placed by BCRA were upheld by McConnell v. FEC but overturned later in Wisconsin Right to Life v. FEC.

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[1] "Campaign Finance Law Quick Reference for Reporters." Federal Election Commission. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.fec.gov/press/bkgnd/bcra_overview.shtml>.

[2] Corrado, Anthony. The New Campaign Finance Sourcebook. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2005. Print. P. 65