Short Answer
Political Action Committees (PACs) collect and distribute funds to support candidates aligned with their associated interest groups. While corporations cannot directly contribute to campaigns, they can use PACs to influence elections indirectly, and PACs must disclose their donor information for transparency.
Step 1: Understanding PACs
Political Action Committees, or PACs, are organizations established to collect and distribute funds to political campaigns. Their main goal is to promote the interests of their associated interest groups. This means they work to support candidates who align with their objectives and policy goals.
Step 2: Corporations and Campaign Contributions
Corporations are not allowed to directly contribute to political campaigns; however, they can do so indirectly through PACs. They can provide financial support to PACs, which then allocate funds to the candidates they favor. This allows corporations to influence political outcomes without violating election laws.
Step 3: Transparency and Disclosure
PACs are required to maintain transparency by disclosing information about their donors and the amounts contributed. This disclosure typically occurs after elections to provide an overview of financial support in the political landscape. This transparency ensures that the public is aware of the financial influences behind political campaigns.