👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Dark money

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Political campaign spending by nonprofit or outside organizations that are legally not required to disclose their donors, often routed through 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) entities to influence elections and policy. Expanded after the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, this undisclosed funding reduces transparency in campaign finance, amplifies interest-group influence, and complicates regulatory oversight of elections.

AP course connection

Topic 5.11: 5.11 Campaign Finance

Unit 5