The money Mr. Bush seeks to stop does not go directly to any candidate, but is used in get-out-the-vote activities, such as phone banks and literature.

No one in the room flinches when she announces that she wants 200 people to take Election Day off to help with get-out-the-vote activities.

It spawned nominally independent groups, largely on the Democratic side so far, that use unlimited "soft money" contributions for get-out-the-vote activities.

The Victory Fund spent at least $330,000 on voter identification and get-out-the-vote activities promoting Congressman Evans.

Among the black and Hispanic lawmakers, there is a concern that soft money is needed to carry out voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities by the parties.

Nonpartisan voter education and get-out-the-vote activities are permitted if in compliance with strict guidelines.

America Coming Together (ACT) was a progressive, political action 527 group dedicated to get-out-the-vote activities.

It would also allow individuals to give limited soft-money contributions of up to $10,000 a year to state and local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities.

In describing get-out-the-vote activities, Mr. Lindsey's letter did not specifically say whether any such expenditure had amounted to more than $50.

Similarly, they forbid the kind of get-out-the-vote activities seen in America.