Political Science Professor Publishes Book on Campaign Finance Oversight

Karen Sebold, assistant professor of political science, published Evaluating Campaign Finance Oversight: An Assessment of the Federal Election Commission through publisher Lexington Books in September. 

In the book, Sebold explores changes in campaign finance laws, underfunding of the FEC, untimely commissioner appointments and how these factors have affected the enforcement of campaign finance laws between 2002 and 2020. 

The book discusses these topics to understand why the FEC has such a poor reputation and why the commission struggles to hold campaign finance violators accountable.

“The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the primary agency enforcing campaign finance laws in the U.S., and it has long been portrayed as a toothless tiger. Given the importance of campaign finance laws in protecting democracy, the characterization of the FEC as an ineffective regulator is problematic.” In the book summary, Sebold adds, “Furthermore, the empty commissioner seats have led to a partisan imbalance that has favored the Republicans and allowed them to dominate decision-making. Now, the outcomes of allegations of wrongdoing are increasingly closing by default rather than bipartisan consensus.”

To Sebold, there is no better time to share her study than now, when many Arkansans are actively casting ballots in the 2024 presidential election. If you would like to learn where you can vote, visit the state election website’s polling location resource.

About Karen Sebold: Sebold (B.S. Rogers State University, 2005; M.A. University of Arkansas, 2008; Ph.D. University of Arkansas 2013) is an assistant professor of political science at the U of A. Her book Evaluating Campaign Finance Oversight: An Assessment of the Federal Election Commission was published in 2024. She has published several articles and books in her various areas of research in International Organizations, Politique Americaine, PS: Political Science and White House Studies. She has taught in the Political Science Department at the U of A since 2011.