Whats the difference between lobbying and electioneering?
Lobbying is persuading elected officials to support a specific position on legislation. Supporting or opposing ballot measures is also considered lobbying, because the people have an opportunity to approve or reject legislative proposals. Electioneering involves supporting or opposing a specific candidate for elected office. While legislation and education are the primary purposes of a social welfare organization such as HSLF, the organization can also engage in a limited amount of election work by supporting and opposing candidates.
Lobbying entails persuading elected officials to support a specific position on legislation. Electioneering involves endorsing a specific candidate, donating money to his or her campaign, holding a fundraiser for a candidate, or otherwise attempting to influence the outcome of an election. Nonprofit groups can and should lobby (although there are limits to the amount of time and money that can be devoted to lobbying under Internal Revenue Service rules). However, nonprofit groups cannot electioneer without breaking the law. If they do, they jeopardize their tax-exempt status.
