Frequently Asked Questions
What does EMILY’s List do?
EMILY's List helps elect pro-choice Democratic women to office by recruiting and funding viable women candidates; helping them to build and run effective campaigns; and mobilizing women voters to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket across the nation.
How does EMILY’s List work?
EMILY's List recruits and identifies viable pro-choice Democratic women candidates for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and governor and recommends these candidates to its members for support.
We send recommendations to more than 100,000 EMILY’s List members throughout the election cycle. These mailings include detailed profiles that explain each candidate’s views on a variety of key issues. EMILY’s List members decide to whom they want to contribute. We then send their contributions directly to the campaigns.
How does EMILY’s List select candidates to support?
Candidates recommended by EMILY’s List go through a rigorous selection process, during which EMILY’s List political staff assess their potential and the viability of their campaign.
How does EMILY’s List help its candidates?
EMILY’s List is a full-service political organization. We train candidates and campaign workers. We recruit smart, capable, and effective pro-choice Democratic women to run for office at every level, and hold training seminars to prepare them for the rigors of a campaign. To make sure candidates have experienced, savvy staff, we teach campaign workers how to organize, raise money, and communicate a message. To best serve our candidates and ensure that they stay on the path to victory, we assess their campaign infrastructure and provide ongoing guidance. The EMILY’s List approach is comprehensive — and effective.
Why should I contribute to candidates through EMILY’s List?
By gathering together all our members’ contributions, EMILY’s List can give pro-choice Democratic women’s campaigns a bigger cash boost and provide maximum political impact. Since EMILY’s List recommends viable, pro-choice Democratic women from across the country, EMILY’s List members become familiar with candidates whom they might not otherwise hear about. Please note that contributions made to candidates through EMILY’s List are sent directly to the campaigns.
Are contributions to EMILY's List and EMILY's List recommended candidates tax deductible?
EMILY’s List is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a political action committee. Contributions to political entities and candidates are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Are there limits to how much I can contribute to EMILY's List?
EMILY's List can accept unlimited contributions. As a federally registered political action committee, EMILY's List can accept up to $5,000 from an individual in a calendar year to support federal campaigns and programs. However, EMILY's List can accept unlimited individual non-federal contributions, which is used to support our non-federal campaigns and programs.
Are there limits to how much I can contribute to candidates?
Under federal law, individuals may contribute a maximum of $2,300 per election — primary, general, or runoff — to a U.S. House, U.S. Senate, or presidential candidate or the candidate’s authorized committee. State laws govern contributions to candidates for governor and other state and local office.
How do I become a member of EMILY’s List?
You can join EMILY's List by contributing $100 or more to EMILY’s List and pledging to contribute $100 to at least two recommended candidates.
What are the benefits of being an EMILY's List member?
As a member of EMILY's List you will receive in-depth profiles of the best and brightest pro-choice Democratic women running for office. EMILY's List will also bring you the latest news on our candidates and other political happenings with our email updates and our quarterly newsletter, Notes from EMILY. Also, as a member you will receive invitations to exciting events across the country honoring our candidates, members of Congress, and governors.
Does EMILY’s List have chapters or offices in other states?
EMILY’s List is a national organization that does not have state or local chapters. We are based in Washington, D.C., with a second office in San Francisco.
Does EMILY’s List lobby?
EMILY’s List’s mission is to elect pro-choice Democratic women to top offices. Once they are elected, EMILY’s List does not lobby them on issues. We encourage you to contact the candidate’s office directly about your concerns and will be happy to provide you with that information.