Elections: FCC Public Notice on LUC and Coordinated Campaign Ads

Last week, we reminded stations that the lowest unit charge rules apply to a candidate’s authorized campaign committee.  Third party political advertisements from political parties or third-party PAC’s generally do not fall within the LUC rules.

However, LUC rules may apply to third party PAC organizations if there is joint fundraising or coordination with the authorized campaign committee.  Last week, the FCC issues a Public Notice on this issue.

“As discussed below, the LUC requirements are applicable to (1) authorized committees, including authorized committees that engage in joint fundraising with legally qualified candidates for federal office, and (2) advertisements that qualify as coordinated expenditures of political parties and legally qualified candidates for federal office.”

The Public Notice provides a more detailed explanation of these two situations that may extend the LUC rules.  Determining what constitutes an authorized campaign committee for the LUC rules is based on federal election rules and regulations.  The Public Notice is worth reading.   

You can see the FCC’s Public Notice here.

You can find out more information about the LUC dates in NY here.