What is a political action committee (PAC)?

A political action committee, or PAC, is specifically designed to raise and spend money for the purpose of electing or defeating political candidates. PACs can contribute directly to candidates' campaigns and are a vital part of the political fundraising landscape. They serve as a tool for organizations, labor unions, or interest groups to ensure their voices are heard in the electoral process by financially supporting candidates who align with their interests or beliefs. This capability allows PACs to influence political outcomes and promote their agendas effectively.

While other options touch on important aspects of the political process, they do not accurately define the primary function of a PAC. Monitoring political campaign spending, overseeing election fairness, or organizing voter rights initiatives represent different roles in the political landscape that are not specifically tied to the main objective of a PAC, which is centered around financing electoral campaigns.