The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires trade association Political Action Committees (PAC), like DMA’s Direct Voice PAC, to obtain written Authorization from DMA Corporate and Incorporated Non-Profit Members before the PAC can solicit and accept contributions from the company’s eligible employees.

Granting Prior Authorization simply gives Direct Voice PAC permission to solicit and communicate with certain employees (principals, managers and other salaried, exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act) about Direct Voice PAC and the role it plays in advancing and protecting responsible data-driven marketing in Washington. It does not obligate your company or employees to support or contribute to Direct Voice PAC.

The sole purpose of Direct Voice PAC is to elect candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate who support policies and legislation that advances and protects responsible data-driven marketing.  PACs are a legal, transparent way for individuals to combine their financial resources to support Congressional candidates who share their views. By pooling resources, individuals leverage the strength of their contributions as an industry. Prior Authorization is the first step in this direction.

Prior Authorization may be granted for as many years as your company desires and can be withdrawn at any time. Only one Authorization form is required per member company. 

Prior Authorization may be granted by anyone authorized by your company. This includes the company’s chief executive, but may also include those designated to represent the company at DMA meetings. 

Yes. When a company signs a Direct Voice PAC Prior Authorization form, it does not preclude company employees from contributing to a state PAC, federal PAC, candidate PAC, corporate PAC, or an ideological PAC. The only restrictions are that a company cannot give Authorization to more than one trade association PAC per calendar year and company employees may not be solicited to contribute to the PAC of a trade association which has not received the company’s Prior Authorization. 

That’s up to you. By signing a Prior Authorization form, you could allow Direct Voice PAC to solicit all eligible employees in your company, or only certain individuals. The FEC defines eligible employees of a member company as "the company's executive and administrative personnel or their families." Executive and administrative personnel are paid a salary and have policymaking, managerial, professional, or supervisory responsibilities.

Yes. Even if your company has a federally registered PAC, your employees may still contribute to both Direct Voice PAC and to the company’s PAC; up to the federal maximum of $5,000 per PAC.