U.S. Election Campaign Finance Facts

The video discusses the high costs of U.S. election campaigns, highlighting the 2016 election's $6.5 billion price tag. Despite the pandemic, 2020 campaigns still see significant spending. Major expenses include media exposure, staff salaries, and travel. Funding comes from donations, with a mix of small and large donors, and joint fundraising committees. Campaign donation rules exist, but independent groups can raise unlimited funds. U.S. elections are increasingly expensive, with no overall spending limit.

How much did the U.S. election campaign in 2016 cost?

• Four billion dollars

• Six and a half billion dollars

• One billion dollars

• Two billion dollars

What is the primary expenditure for presidential hopefuls?

• Staff salaries

• Travel expenses

• Election merchandise

• Media exposure

How much did Hillary Clinton spend on staff salaries in 2016?

• 3 million dollars

• 85 million dollars

• 45 million dollars

• 10 million dollars

What was the estimated travel expenditure for Trump and Clinton in 2016?

• 45 million dollars each

• 3 million dollars each

• 85 million dollars each

• 10 million dollars each

How much did Trump spend on election merchandise like hats in 2016?

• 1 million dollars

• 45 million dollars

• 3 million dollars

• 10 million dollars

What percentage of individual donor contributions came from everyday Americans in 2016?

• A quarter

• Two-thirds

• Half

• Around a third

How many wealthy donors contributed almost 1 billion dollars in the 2016 election?

• Less than 100

• Less than 200

• Less than 400

• Less than 300

What is the limit on individual donations directly to candidates?

• 2,800 dollars

• 2,500 dollars

• 3,000 dollars

• 2,000 dollars

What are super PACs not allowed to do?

• Raise unlimited sums

• Coordinate directly with candidates

• Host lavish dinners

• Finance political activities

How much more expensive was the 2016 election compared to the 2000 election?

• 2.5 times

• 1.5 times

• 3 times

• 2 times