FEC approves advisory opinion

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today approved an advisory opinion and held over two other requests at its open meeting.

Advisory Opinion Request 2018-12 (Defending Digital Campaigns, Inc.) The Commission discussed and held over for further drafting an advisory opinion request from Defending Digital Campaigns, Inc. (DDC). The request concerns DDC’s proposal to provide or facilitate the provision of certain cybersecurity services, software, and hardware for free or at a reduced cost to federal candidate committees and national party committees on a nonpartisan basis and according to pre-determined, objective criteria. During the discussion, the Commission heard from the requestor and counsel for the requestor.

Advisory Opinion 2019-04 (Prytany LLC) The Commission approved an advisory opinion in response to a request from Prytany LLC concerning its proposal to provide certain online contribution-processing services to political committees. The Commission concluded that the proposed services would not result in Prytany making contributions or incurring reporting obligations. During the discussion, the Commission heard from counsel for the requestor.

Advisory Opinion 2019-06 (Leigh Brown) The Commission did not approve by the requisite four votes either draft of an advisory opinion, or a third alternative to provide a partial answer, in response to a request from Leigh Brown, a candidate for a special election in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District. The requestor asked whether proposed radio advertisements would constitute electioneering communications. During the discussion, the Commission heard from counsel for the requestor.

Advisory Opinion Request 2018-13 (OsiaNetwork LLC) The Commission held over the discussion until the April 25 open meeting an advisory opinion request concerning OsiaNetwork LLC’s proposal to provide services to political committees to enable individuals to use their internet-enabled devices to mine cryptocurrencies to benefit the political committees.