Technical Assistance Question of the Week

 Q: Our state’s primary season is approaching and our 501(c)(3) would like to host a debate between candidates for the Democratic nomination. There are no challengers in the Republican primary, so there is no reason to host a Republican debate. Can our 501(c)(3) sponsor a Democratic primary debate without including candidates of other parties?

A: Yes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofits may sponsor a primary season debate limited to candidates for one particular party. Since the purpose of the debate is to educate voters about candidates seeking the nomination of that particular party, there is no need to invite candidates from other parties.

For more information about primary season debates and other election activities, see the IRS’s Continuing Professional Education text. To understand the election-related activities nonprofit organizations and individual employees may engage in, see the election activity page of Alliance for Justice’s website.