Redboxing 101: How Campaigns & Super PACs Openly Undermine Democracy

Campaign Legal Center's virtual event, "Redboxing 101: How Campaigns & Super PACs Openly Undermine Democracy," was held on February 17, 2023 and featured panelist discussion of the issue of redboxing and its impact on federal, state and local elections. 
Our democracy works best when elected officials answer to their constituents and not wealthy special interests. Super PACs are permitted to raise and spend unlimited amounts on elections from a variety of sources—but only if they do so independently. They are prohibited from coordinating with campaigns on their messaging. When a campaign engages in the practice known as “redboxing,” they are openly flouting this ban.
When a candidate can direct the activities of a super PAC that is able to raise amounts far exceeding the candidate’s contribution limits and funds from sources the candidate cannot access, the risk for corruption is clear. This coordination facilitates a "pay-to-play" political culture, where super PAC donors and operatives can trade dollars for favors and access to rig the political system in their favor.

Speakers included Saurav Ghosh, Director for Federal Campaign Finance Reform at Campaign Legal Center, Jordana L. Greenwald, Acting General Counsel with the Philadelphia Board of Ethics and John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island. CLC Legal Counsel for State & Local Reform Aaron McKean served as moderator.