What is America's Electric Cooperatives PAC?
America's Electric Cooperatives PAC gives member-owners the opportunity to use their voice on behalf of their cooperative. State and federal government officials make policy decisions that affect a local cooperative its member’s way of life. This program is an easy way for members to help determine who gets elected to make those decisions.
The America's Electric Cooperatives PAC® is the political action committee (PAC) of the nation’s electric cooperatives. Founded in 1966 by the approximately 1000 cooperatives of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), it supports candidates for state and federal office – those in office now and running for office – who will speak for and protect the interests of cooperatives and their member-owners.
Participation in the nationwide America's Electric Cooperatives PAC program ensures that the voice of cooperatives remains strong in our nation’s capital and in state legislature. Maintaining a strong grassroots presence in the political process is instrumental to the long-term success of the cooperative program and the communities they serve in these unpredictable times.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
The law allows individuals with common interests to pool their resources using PACs in order to make political contributions to candidates for state and federal office. Currently, over 28,000 like-minded supporters of the cooperative program combine their contributions through America's Electric Cooperatives PAC. Almost 300 North Central Electric members have already joined America's Electric Cooperatives PAC. Candidates who receive a substantial contribution from America's Electric Cooperatives PAC get an important message about member’s interest in the cooperative. The candidate knows the cooperative's members and employees who support them want to elect individuals who will make good policy decisions on their behalf.
Who determines how these contributions are made?
America's Electric Cooperatives PAC follows established procedures for making contributions to candidates running for political office. Factors that determine financial support include the candidate’s position on issues critical to cooperatives, the candidate’s committee assignments and leadership positions, his or her relative importance to cooperatives’, and a candidate’s financial need and the strength of his or her opponent. The candidate’s political affiliation is never taken into account.
Individual states have their own guidelines for making contributions to candidates for statewide offices. While these rules are set by the individual states, they often mirror those guidelines used by the America's Electric Cooperatives PAC.
Where does a contribution go?
With the exception of a small federal tax payment of less than one percent, all contributions to America's Electric Cooperatives PAC go directly to the campaigns of candidates for political office. In addition, a portion of a member’s contribution (about half) may be refunded to the state cooperative PAC to support candidates for state office.
Contributions to the NRECA America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals who lack permanent resident status. Any contribution guidelines presented are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the suggested amounts, or not at all. NRECA will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute.
For more information on America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC eligibility, contact NCE@fesco-oh.org.