Independent expenditure

An independent expenditure, in elections in the United States, is a political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified political candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with - or at the request or suggestion of - a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or a political party.[1] If a candidate's agent, authorized committee, party, or an "agent" for one of these groups becomes "materially involved," the expenditure is not independent.[2]