VoteVets.org
| VoteVets.org | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Portland, Oregon |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) and PAC |
| Year founded: | 2006 |
| Website: | Official website |
VoteVets.org comprises the VoteVets Action Fund and the VoteVets Political Action Committee. As of April 2020, the organization described itself as "the largest progressive veterans group in America, representing over 700,000 veterans, families and supporters."[1] According to NPR, VoteVets.org was started in 2006 by Iraq war veterans and "[opposed] the Bush administration's handling of the war."[2]
VoteVets.org says, "VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election."[3]
Mission
As of April 2020, the organization said the following:[1]
| “ | Founded in 2006, and backed by over 700,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives.
VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world – with force when necessary – to protect America. While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.[4] |
” |
Political activity
According to VoteVets.org, the group focuses on "matters including, but not limited to, foreign policy, energy security, veterans’ unemployment, and opening military service to life-long Americans born to undocumented immigrants, as well as continued investment in care for veterans. ... VoteVets.org has and will continue to work with all progressive allies representing labor, immigration, gay and lesbian rights, and environmentalists, when their issues coincide with the needs of troops and veterans."[5]
As of April 2020, VoteVets.org said, "The mission of VoteVets.org Political Action Committee is to elect Veterans to public office; hold public officials accountable for their words and actions that impact America’s 21st century service members, Veterans, and their families; and fully support our men and women in uniform. Though progressive, VoteVets PAC has endorsed both Democrats and Republicans."[6] To view a current list of candidates endorsed by VoteVets PAC, click here.
2018 endorsements
In 2018 elections, VoteVets PAC endorsed the following candidates:[7]
- Tom Carper (D) - U.S. Senate, Delaware
- Bill Nelson (D) - U.S. Senate, Florida
- Anthony Brown (D) - U.S. House, Maryland
- Salud Carbajal (D) - U.S. House, California
- Tulsi Gabbard (D) - U.S. House, Hawaii
- Ruben Gallego (D) - U.S. House, Arizona
- Ted Lieu (D) - U.S. House, California
- Seth Moulton (D) - U.S. House, Massachusetts
- Jimmy Panetta (D) - U.S. House, California
- Conor Lamb (D) - U.S. House, Pennsylvania
- Randy Bryce (D) - U.S. House, Wisconsin
- Gil Cisneros (D) - U.S. House, California
- Jason Crow (D) - U.S. House, Colorado
- Dan Feehan (D) - U.S. House, Minnesota
- Jared Golden (D) - U.S. House, Maine
- Ken Harbaugh (D) - U.S. House, Ohio
- Chrissy Houlahan (D) - U.S. House, Pennsylvania
- Pam Keith (D) - U.S. House, Florida
- Brendan Kelly (D) - U.S. House, Illinois
- Joseph Kopser (D) - U.S. House, Texas
- Dan McCready (D) - U.S. House, North Carolina
- Amy McGrath (D) - U.S. House, Kentucky
- Gina Ortiz Jones (D) - U.S. House, Texas
- Mark Osmack (D) - U.S. House, Missouri
- Max Rose (D) - U.S. House, New York
- Mikie Sherrill (D) - U.S. House, New Jersey
- Maura Sullivan (D) - U.S. House, New Hampshire
- Elaine Luria (D) - U.S. House, Virginia
- M.J. Hegar (D) - U.S. House, Texas
- Richard Ojeda (D) - U.S. House, West Virginia
- Jesse Colvin (D) - U.S. House, Maryland
- Josh Welle (D) - U.S. House, New Jersey
- David Garcia (D) - Governor, Arizona
- Tim Walz (D) - Governor, Minnesota
- James Smith, Jr. (D) - Governor, South Carolina
Tax status
VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) status refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning social welfare organizations.[8] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[9] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections listing specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, however, donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the contribution. 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. This includes donations to political committees that support or oppose ballot measures, bond issues, recalls, or referenda.
- See also: 501(c)(4) organizations on Ballotpedia
VoteVets Political Action Committee is a political action committee (PAC). PACs are political committees established and administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations or trade associations. The general definition is a group that spends money on elections, but is not run by a party or individual candidate. However, PACs can donate money to parties or candidates they support. These committees raise funds either from individuals associated with the corporation (Separate Segregated Funds) or from any individuals who wish to contribute to the committee (Nonconnected PACs).[10] Nonconnected PACs are financially independent and pay for themselves via the contributions they raise. Separate segregated funds are funded by the organization they are associated with.[11]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Facebook, "VoteVets.org," accessed April 29, 2020
- ↑ NPR, "Profile: VoteVets," August 4, 2008
- ↑ VoteVets.org, "Our Mission," accessed April 5, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ VoteVets.org, "About," accessed April 29, 2020
- ↑ VoteVets.org, "Candidates," accessed April 29, 2020
- ↑ VoteVets.org, "Candidates," accessed July 16, 2018
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ FEC "Quick Answers," accessed August 9, 2013
- ↑ FEC "SSFs vs Nonconnected," accessed August 9, 2013
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