Handbook on Corporate Political Activity: Emerging Corporate Governance Issues

American corporations are generous contributors and significant players in the political process through their support of candidates, political action committees (PACs), ballot measures, and organizations that seek to influence legislators, policymakers, regulators, and election outcomes. Political activities, however, always involve an element of the unknown, and such activities can represent risks to corporations, their boards, and their shareholders. Companies therefore need to rigorously evaluate the means, rewards, and risks of political spending. This handbook, which grew out of discussions held at two roundtable meetings organized by The Conference Board Governance Center, offers an overview of the legal rules and standard practices related to political activity, as well as a discussion of internal oversight of political spending.