4 ms·

> They are a nonpolicial (required by charitable status) group running ads like this They're a 501(c)(4), not a 501(c)(3). They aren't nonpolitical and have no

by Hasu 4y ago

> They are a nonpolicial (required by charitable status) group running ads like this They're a 501(c)(4), not a 501(c)(3). They aren't nonpolitical and have no obligation not to engage in politics. In fact, engaging in politics is the entire point of the ACLU

tempnow987 4y ago
A 501c4 is a social welfare org. Political activities are generally prohibited "Political or social activities. The promotion of social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office." https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/26/1.501(c)(4)-1 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/26/1.501(c)(4)-1 I think this is a fair confusion currently however given their strong dem tie-in recently and their current approach of taking on individual politicians (for and against) by name. Note: If you are active in the ACLU they have a related ACLU Foundation they use to collect 501c3 money, is run by the same people out of the same offices, and actually brings in more money I think than the c4 if that matters.
- Hasu 4y ago
  You are correct about the letter of the law. The Supreme Court disagreed in Citizens United v. FEC and ruled that the government cannot restrain corporations from making independent expenditures for political campaigns. It definitely applies to 501c4 orgs, as Citizens United itself is one!
  - tempnow987 4y ago
    Don't disagree - the "dark money" c4's have (ironically) been a complaint on the left for a while. That said, this is still a real shift for the ACLU - this type of campaigning is not something they historically really did. So the push to actively campaign more is newish for them. It's def where the money is though - the MAGA orgs, the NRA, the ACLU - in some ways they are just following the money.

4 ms·

> They are a nonpolicial (required by charitable status) group running ads like this They're a 501(c)(4), not a 501(c)(3). They aren't nonpolitical and have no

by Hasu 4y ago

tempnow987 4y ago
A 501c4 is a social welfare org. Political activities are generally prohibited "Political or social activities. The promotion of social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office." https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/26/1.501(c)(4)-1 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/26/1.501(c)(4)-1 I think this is a fair confusion currently however given their strong dem tie-in recently and their current approach of taking on individual politicians (for and against) by name. Note: If you are active in the ACLU they have a related ACLU Foundation they use to collect 501c3 money, is run by the same people out of the same offices, and actually brings in more money I think than the c4 if that matters.
- Hasu 4y ago
  You are correct about the letter of the law. The Supreme Court disagreed in Citizens United v. FEC and ruled that the government cannot restrain corporations from making independent expenditures for political campaigns. It definitely applies to 501c4 orgs, as Citizens United itself is one!
  - tempnow987 4y ago
    Don't disagree - the "dark money" c4's have (ironically) been a complaint on the left for a while. That said, this is still a real shift for the ACLU - this type of campaigning is not something they historically really did. So the push to actively campaign more is newish for them. It's def where the money is though - the MAGA orgs, the NRA, the ACLU - in some ways they are just following the money.