Which type of PAC is not allowed to coordinate with a political party?

• A. PACs
• B. Super PACs
• C. Leadership PACs
• D. 501 organizations

Answer: (B)

Super PACs are independent expenditure-only committees that are prohibited from coordinating directly with political candidates or parties. This distinction is crucial because Super PACs can raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions, but they cannot be involved in the strategic planning or decision-making process of a candidate's campaign or a political party's strategies. Their independence ensures that they operate separately from the candidates they support, leading to the term “independent expenditure.”

Unlike Super PACs, traditional PACs can contribute directly to candidates and can be involved in coordinated efforts to some extent. Leadership PACs, which are formed by politicians to help other candidates or to create a political network, can also coordinate with party entities. Furthermore, 501 organizations (often referred to as 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations) can engage in some political activities, but their primary purpose must remain non-political. Thus, the nature of Super PACs as non-coordinating entities leads to their specific restrictions in the campaign finance landscape.