Practical Tips for Filling Gaps, Staying Compliant, and Making Your IE Count Where It Matters Most.
An independent expenditure (IE) is an effort that expressly advocates for or against a candidate but is made independently by a third-party entity, not in coordination with a candidate’s campaign. Independent expenditures are a critical part of the modern campaign ecosystem, but they are also complex. A poorly planned or mismanaged independent expenditure can waste resources, confuse voters, or even harm the very candidate you are trying to support.
When planning for an independent expenditure, it’s critical to avoid common mistakes that can drain your budget or even backfire. A strong independent expenditure program should be strategic, compliant with the law, and designed to complement–not harm–your favored candidate.
Here are three areas to look out for to set yourself and your independent expenditure up for success.
Fill the Gaps
When starting your independent expenditure planning process, think strategically about how to achieve your goals. As a third-party entity, one of your primary objectives should be to provide additional support that enhances your favored candidate’s chances of victory.
This often means figuring out how your independent expenditure can cover areas the campaign may not be able to reach due to limited time or resources. Too often, organizations or coalitions running independent expenditures focus only on their own internal goals–such as elevating a particular issue–without considering how their campaign could complement the candidate’s overall efforts.
Instead, take a step back and ask: where can we make the most impact? Is the campaign already running a large digital program but falling short on direct mail? Are they focused on persuasion but not turnout? Are they investing heavily in one voter demographic while leaving others untouched?
Without breaking any laws, you should take directional cues from publicly available information about the candidate’s campaign. Review what’s out there to build a clear picture of where you fit in:
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Messaging: What is their core message? What themes are they emphasizing?
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Targets: Which voters are they trying to reach? Which voters are they prioritizing?
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Tactics: Which media are they using (digital, mail, canvassing, TV, etc.)?
Having a sense of what the campaign and the candidate are doing will help you plan strategically how to best ensure you’re filling in the gaps instead of duplicating efforts or conflicting with the campaign’s strategy.
Know Your Organizational Landscape
Before diving in, remember this: ALWAYS consult an attorney about what your organization can legally do under the law in your state, county, or city.
Many groups assume that voters only receive electoral information from PACs or Super PACs. While those entities can engage in explicit electoral messaging, voters also hear from a wide range of sources year-round, including nonprofits (C3s) and advocacy organizations (C4s). These organizations often run community education programs, provide issue-based information, and engage in trusted conversations with the community.
Understanding these efforts can help you strategically plan your independent expenditure by knowing what type of information voters have been getting, so your efforts build on existing conversations rather than duplicating or ignoring them.
Know What You Can and Cannot Do
Finally, the most critical element of running a successful independent expenditure: compliance. Knowing what you can and cannot do is crucial in planning an independent expenditure.
The last thing you want is to face fines or damage your favored candidate’s reputation because of a preventable mistake. As mentioned above, always consult with an attorney to ensure you’re staying compliant and following the rules.
The laws around independent expenditures vary significantly by state and municipality, and they are frequently updated. That’s why you should never assume yesterday’s rules apply today. Always seek legal advice before launching your program, and make sure your compliance team is up to date on the latest regulations.
A compliant independent expenditure doesn’t just protect your organization legally–it also protects your credibility. When a candidate faces backlash because of something an outside group did, it undermines trust with voters and can become a distraction in the press. Your job is to build power and influence, not create unnecessary risk.
Independent Expenditures can be powerful tools when executed correctly. By filling the gaps, understanding the broader organizational landscape, and staying within the law, you can ensure your independent expenditure strengthens your overall strategy and makes a real difference in the election’s outcome.
If you approach your independent expenditure with intention, compliance, and strategy, it can be the boost that pushes your favored candidate across the finish line. If you cut corners or operate in a silo, you risk wasting resources, or worse, causing harm.
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