Chapter 06 / Super PACs
Super PACs vs PACs: where the money in primaries comes from
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What are Super PACs?
Super PACs are political committees that can raise and spend unlimited money on elections, as long as they do not give to or coordinate with candidates.
Primary Field Guide covers Super PACs because money shapes which candidates are viable before any primary vote is cast. Traditional PACs face contribution limits; Super PACs do not. In 2023, 74.9 percent of Maine voters approved capping Super PAC donations at $5,000.
What is a Super PAC?
A Super PAC is an independent expenditure-only political committee. It may accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and unions and spend unlimited sums supporting or opposing candidates, but it cannot donate to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns. The Federal Election Commission explains the independent expenditure rules.
Super PACs vs PACs, compared
| Question | Super PAC | Traditional PAC |
|---|---|---|
| Can it give directly to candidates? | No | Yes, within limits |
| Limit on what it can raise per donor? | None under federal law | Yes, capped |
| Can it coordinate with campaigns? | No | Contributions only, within limits |
| Can corporations and unions give? | Yes | Not from general treasuries |
Federal limits change; confirm current figures at the FEC contribution limits page.
How Super PACs began
Super PACs appeared in 2010, after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision and the appeals court ruling in SpeechNow.org v. FEC. Together they allowed unlimited contributions to groups that spend independently. Since then, Super PACs have spent billions of dollars influencing elections.
Maine’s Super PAC cap, by the numbers
- 74.9%
- of Maine voters approved Question 1 in 2023
- $5,000
- cap on donations to Super PACs
- 3 to 1
- margin of voter support
The Foundation for Independent Voter Education is defending the law in court. A win could set a precedent for Super PAC contribution limits nationwide. Read more on the End Super PACs campaign page.
How Super PACs connect to primaries
When only a small share of voters can take part in a closed primary, concentrated spending goes further. Ballotpedia found only 22.1 percent of possible 2026 primaries were contested. Opening primaries widens the electorate that money has to persuade. See open vs closed primaries and the best primary systems 2026 rankings.
Common questions
- What are Super PACs?
- Super PACs are political committees that can raise and spend unlimited money to support or oppose candidates, as long as they do not coordinate with campaigns or give money directly to them. They can accept money from individuals, corporations, and unions. The Federal Election Commission calls them independent expenditure-only committees.See this answer in the full FAQ
- What is the difference between Super PACs and PACs?
- The difference is limits. A traditional PAC can give money directly to candidates, but its donations in and out are capped; federal rules let an individual give a PAC up to $5,000 a year. A Super PAC cannot give to candidates directly, but it can raise and spend unlimited sums. Confirm current limits at fec.gov.See this answer in the full FAQ
- When did Super PACs start?
- Super PACs began in 2010, after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision and the federal appeals court ruling in SpeechNow.org v. FEC. Together, those rulings allowed unlimited contributions to groups that only make independent expenditures. Since then, Super PACs have spent billions of dollars on federal elections.See this answer in the full FAQ
- Can a Super PAC give money directly to a candidate?
- No, a Super PAC cannot give money directly to a candidate or coordinate its spending with a campaign. It can only spend independently, for example on advertising that supports or opposes candidates. That independence requirement is what allows it to raise unlimited money, unlike a traditional PAC.See this answer in the full FAQ
- What did Maine’s Question 1 do?
- Maine’s Question 1, passed in 2023, capped contributions to Super PACs at $5,000. It won 74.9 percent of the vote, nearly 3-to-1 support. The Foundation for Independent Voter Education is defending the law in court, and a win could set a precedent for Super PAC contribution limits nationwide.See this answer in the full FAQ
- Are limits on Super PAC contributions legal?
- Whether states can cap Super PAC contributions is being tested in court right now. Maine voters approved a $5,000 cap in 2023, and the Foundation for Independent Voter Education is defending it against legal challenges. The outcome could decide whether other states can follow, so watch that case.See this answer in the full FAQ
Your next step
Start with open primaries. Then explore More Choice Voting.
Getting every voter a primary ballot is the first barrier to clear. The Independent Voter Project runs the national campaign for open primaries for every voter, and our More Choice Voting chapter covers what comes after.