Date of Award

Spring 2014

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Public Policy and Management (PPM)

Department

Public Policy and Management

First Advisor

Carolyn Ball

Keywords

Super PACs, Election Finances, Federal Election Committee (FEC), Citizens United, Muskie School of Public Service

Abstract

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in the case of the Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commision dramatically changed how elections are financed in the United States. That landmark case let to the creation of Super Political Action Committees (Super PACs). These organizations have the ability to raise limitless amounts of money and spend thses funds however they see fit on candidtaes of their choosing.

This case study will test six hypotheses. These hypotheses deal with two major actions. The first action is the conduct of Super PACs and the manner in which they went about choosing races to involve themselves with. The second action is the conduct of voters and how they ultimately decided these elections that Super PACs involved themselves with.

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