How Realtor®-Friendly Candidates are Supported

As the general election is quickly approaching, New Jersey Realtors® is hard at work ensuring candidates that support Realtor® businesses, private property rights, and homeownership are elected to office. There are three ways candidates and vital issues to the real estate industry are supported: the Realtors® Political Action Committee, the Issues Mobilization Fund, and through independent expenditures. Know the difference between these three separate entities and how the Realtor® voice is heard locally, around the state, and federally.

RPAC is a nonpartisan organization that assists in the election of candidates who support private property rights and other issues that have a direct impact on the real estate industry on a local, state, and national level.

RPAC was first established in 1969 and has promoted the election of pro-Realtor® candidates ever since.

RPAC contributions do not come out of member dues and are voluntary contributions from Realtors®

• The candidate can be aware of spending and support.

• RPAC contributions are monetary contributions to a specific candidate’s campaign.

• RPAC contributions are voluntary and come from members of the Realtor® association.

Formed in 2016, the New Jersey Realtors® Issues Mobilization Fund is a committee used to fund research into various real estate matters, like the State and Local Tax and the National Flood Insurance Program, and to provide funds for public awareness campaigns in support of real estate issues in New Jersey and our local communities.

IMF Funds are used to promote or oppose state legislation, local ordinances, or other governmental actions impacting the rights of private property owners and Realtors®. Through public awareness campaigns, Realtors® and residents can bring a strong and unified voice to government officials on issues affecting them. Funding to support the IMF’s mission is gathered strictly from a portion of membership dues.

In the past, Issues Mobilization dollars have been used to:

• Alert the public to rental restrictions

• Oppose local rent control laws

• Advocate for open house sign ordinances

• Ensure residents can park by their property without having to pay for a permit

• Formed in 2016 and consolidated the Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee and Governmental Research Foundation into one body.

• Primary goal is to research vital real estate industry issues in New Jersey.

• Funding comes from a portion of membership dues.

An independent expenditure is a political campaign designed to influence the outcome of an election. IEs are run for a candidate without coordinating with that candidate and without the candidate’s knowledge. An independent expenditure can be as simple as sending out a mail piece urging voters to support a certain candidate on election day, or as complex as multiple mail pieces, phone calls, online advertisements, and door-to-door canvassers. IEs are funded by Section 527 groups, or “super PACs.” NJ Realtors®’ super PAC is NJ CORE and is comprised of five Realtor® members from around the state.

• There’s no cap on spending.

• The candidate is not and must not be aware of the IE campaign.

• Independent expenditures are separate campaigns in support of the candidate and can include mailings, phone calls, canvassing, and backing beyond monetary contributions.

• Independent expenditures are funded through NJ CORE, which is funded through an NJ Realtors® dues assessment.

When considering conducting an IE for a local race, such as for council or Mayor, NJ CORE seeks the input of the local board. The AE is tasked with creating a three-member ad hoc committee, which should not be made public, to decide whether or not to make an IE recommendation to the NJ CORE Trustees. The final decision to hold the IE is vested with the NJ CORE Trustees.

Recommendations for IEs must be made to the NJ CORE Trustees at least 60 days in advance of the date of the election. Members of a local board’s ad hoc IE committee are asked to sign an “affidavit of no contact.” Under election law, if a candidate is told of an independent expenditure, it could result in fines or jail time. When forming the local ad hoc committee, AEs are asked to select members of their board they believe can be fair in their decision making, do not have a conflict of interest with the candidate, and are able to keep confidential matters confidential. If you have questions, or you believe your committee has been compromised, please contact Catherine Best immediately at 609-341-7105 or cbest@njrealtor.com.