Last updated: February 22, 2026.
Dark money generally refers to political spending where the original donor identity is not fully visible to the public.
Why It Is Controversial
- Voters may not know who ultimately funded certain political messaging.
- Researchers and journalists face limits when tracing influence networks.
- Disclosure requirements differ by organization type and activity.
What Public Data Can Still Show
- Independent expenditure totals
- Timing and targeting of spending
- Candidate-facing funding pressure patterns
FederalVoice highlights available public signals and labels missing data explicitly when coverage is limited.