FEC Open Data API

API

Free API for U.S. federal campaign finance data

Overview

The FEC Open Data API provides RESTful access to comprehensive federal campaign finance records, including candidate profiles, committee filings, individual contributions, and campaign expenditures. Responses are JSON-formatted. Key endpoints include /candidates (candidate details), /committees (committee info), /contributions (donation records), and /expenditures (spending data). Ideal for building transparency tools, analyzing funding trends, integrating data into news platforms, or supporting academic research on political finance.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://api.open.fec.gov/developers/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful architecture
JSON response format
Comprehensive campaign finance data
Filterable endpoints
Historical election records

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is the FEC Open Data API free to use?

Yes, the API is free for all users. You only need to register for a free API key to start making requests.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, every request must include a valid API key, obtainable at no cost from the FEC developer portal.

? What is the response format?

All API responses are in JSON format, widely supported by programming languages and tools.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Government

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free access with no subscription fees
⊕ Detailed developer documentation
⊕ Covers all federal election cycles
⊕ Supports advanced data filtering

Cons

⊖ Requires free API key for all requests
⊖ Rate limits apply (up to 1000/hour)
⊖ Complex queries may need nested endpoints
⊖ Data updates depend on FEC filing schedules