What is the primary function of political action committees (PACs)?

The primary function of political action committees (PACs) is to raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates. PACs are crucial for financing political campaigns and are established by corporations, unions, or interest groups for this purpose. They collect contributions from members or employees and then distribute this money to candidates who align with their interests or policy goals. This financial support can significantly impact a candidate's ability to communicate their message, campaign effectively, and ultimately influence election outcomes.

PACs play a vital role in the political landscape by enabling smaller groups of individuals or organizations to pool resources and amplify their influence in elections. Their activities also include organizing events, mobilizing voters, and running ads to support their chosen candidates, which further underscores their focus on the electoral process.

In contrast, conducting public opinion polls focuses on gauging the sentiments of constituents rather than directly influencing elections. Drafting legislation is a function typically reserved for lawmakers and not for PACs, which do not create laws but rather support candidates who may legislate. Finally, overseeing campaign finance involves regulatory aspects managed by entities like the Federal Election Commission, differing from the direct support that PACs provide to individual candidates.