A straw donor is a person who illegally uses another person's money to make a political contribution in their own name. In the United States, making a political contribution in another person's name is illegal, as is agreeing to be the named donor with someone else's money. For example, a straw donor may contribute to a political campaign before being reimbursed by another, who is using that person as a conduit to exceed the limits on campaign contributions under the laws of a jurisdiction.
In federal elections in the United States, straw donor schemes are illegal under 2 U.S.C. ยง 441f, which states:
No person shall make a contribution in the name of another person or knowingly permit his name to be used to effect such a contribution, and no person shall knowingly accept a contribution made by one person in the name of another person.
This section was enacted as part of the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1971.
Famous quotes containing the word straw:
“That when she essayed
To drink lemonade,
She slipped through the straw and fell in.”
—Unknown. There Was a Young Lady of Lynn (l. 3–5)