What did the Campaign Finance Act of 1974 restrict?

The Campaign Finance Act of 1974 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at regulating the funding of political campaigns, especially in response to concerns about the influence of money in politics following the Watergate scandal. One of the primary goals of the Act was to impose restrictions on the amounts that candidates and political parties could spend on mass media advertising. This was intended to create a more level playing field among candidates and to reduce the potential for corruption and undue influence from wealthy donors or special interest groups that could dominate the political discourse through superior financial resources. By placing limits on campaign expenditures and contributions, the Act sought to enhance the integrity of the electoral process and increase public trust in democratic institutions.