Public comments are due this week on a request for an advisory opinion from Federal Election Commission (FEC) on its 

Federal Election Commission 

(FEC) on its spouse contribution rule. In general, the advisory opinion request asks whether a candidate who receives a contribution from 

spouse contribution rule

. In general, the advisory opinion request asks whether a candidate who receives a contribution from same-sex spouses lawfully married under the law of a state that recognizes same-sex marriage, may the candidate apply the regular FEC contribution rules for spousal contributions.

same-sex spouses

The advisory opinion request (AOR 2013-02) came from a candidate in the April 30th Massachusetts GOP primary and may receive 

) came from a candidate in the April 30th Massachusetts GOP primary and may receive expedited treatment from the FEC. Same-sex marriage issues have also been front and center for the 

 from the FEC. Same-sex marriage issues have also been front and center for the Republican National Committee, the 

, the Supreme Court,and the 

,and the U.S. Senate.

In other FEC news, the Commission announced it would host a May 22nd 

 it would host a May 22nd seminar/webinar for trade associations, membership and labor organizations and their political action committees.

seminar/webinar for trade associations, membership and labor organizations and their political action committees.

The FEC has also released an updated electronic version of its 
Combined Federal/State Disclosure and Election Directory
. The directory lists key disclosure officials and offices (names, phone numbers, email and mail addresses) in each state for information on campaign finance, personal financial statements, lobbying, candidates on the ballot, and election results.

Former FEC chairman David Mason, Marc Elias (former general counsel for the Ferry-Edwards 2004 campaign, Robert Edgar (former member of Congress, and current president of Common Cause), and Benjamin Barr (counsel for Wyoming Liberty Group), will have a 
public debate on “This Assembly Believes the Current System of Campaign Finance is Broken.” It will take place in Washington, D.C. on April 18th, sponsored by the Campbell Public Affairs Institute of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

public debate on “This Assembly Believes the Current System of Campaign Finance is Broken.”