key term - Political action committee (PAC)

Definition

A PAC is a type of organization that collects contributions from members and donates those funds to campaign for or against political candidates, legislation, or ballot initiatives. PACs are a way for interest groups to pool resources and significantly influence political outcomes.

Related terms

Interest Group:

An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.

Campaign Finance:

Refers to the funds raised to promote candidates, political parties, or policies in elections, referenda, or legislative initiatives.

Lobbying:

The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies