The "Paid for by" disclaimer rules, in plain English
A campaign website needs the right disclaimer, in the right place, in readable type. Here's who needs one, what it has to say, and the three mistakes we see most.
The short version: if you're a political committee with a public website — or any page that asks for money or expressly tells people to vote for or against a candidate — federal law requires a "clear and conspicuous" disclaimer saying who paid for it. An authorized candidate committee writes "Paid for by [committee name]." A committee not authorized by a candidate has to say more. Most states layer their own rules on top.
This guide explains the general framework so you know what to ask about. It isn't legal advice, and disclaimer rules change and vary by state. Confirm your specific requirements with the FEC, your state agency, or campaign counsel.
Who actually needs a disclaimer
Federal disclaimer rules apply to "public communications" by political committees and to communications that expressly advocate for or against a clearly identified federal candidate or that solicit contributions. In practice, that sweeps in a committee's public website and, especially, its donate page.
If you're running for a state or local office, the FEC rules may not be the ones that govern you — but nearly every state has an analogous "paid for by" or "authority line" requirement. The safe assumption for any campaign or committee: your website needs a disclaimer.
What it has to say
The exact wording depends on who you are:
- An authorized candidate committee (the campaign itself): "Paid for by [committee name]." That's it — short and clean.
- A committee not authorized by any candidate (most PACs, independent groups): "Paid for by [name]," plus a statement that it is "not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee," plus contact information — a permanent street address, phone number, or website.
State and local races often have their own required phrasing, and some require additional elements like a treasurer's name. The structure is similar everywhere, but the specifics matter.
Where it goes
The legal standard is "clear and conspicuous." For a website, that means a readable disclaimer in the footer of your homepage and on every page that solicits a contribution. The FEC has been explicit that small print and low-contrast text do not meet the standard — a disclaimer you technically included but no one can read is a disclaimer you can be penalized for.
A disclaimer no one can read is a disclaimer that doesn't count.
The three mistakes we see most
1. The donate page has no disclaimer
Campaigns often put the disclaimer on the homepage and forget the donate page — which is exactly the page the rules care about most, because it solicits money. If your donations are handled by an embedded ActBlue or Anedot form, make sure the surrounding page still carries your disclaimer.
2. It's too small to read
Eight-point gray text on a white footer is the classic failure. "Clear and conspicuous" is a real legal standard, not a suggestion. Size it like you mean it.
3. The authority line is wrong for the committee type
A PAC using the short candidate-committee version, or a campaign claiming "not authorized by any candidate" — both are common and both are wrong. The line has to match what kind of committee you are.
How Electbase handles it
This is exactly the kind of thing that should be automatic. When you build a site on Electbase, your "Paid for by" line is generated from your committee details and placed correctly — on your homepage and your donate page — in readable type, on every campaign by default. Federal baseline everywhere; state-specific rules layered in as we expand. You shouldn't have to become a compliance expert to put a campaign website online.
Electbase builds the disclaimer in by default, so it's correct before you publish. Join the waitlist →