If the individual decides to run for federal office and becomes a candidate under the Act , then the individual may designate the exploratory committee as the principal campaign committee and change the name of the committee as appropriate.

When filing the first report due after registering as a political committee, the principal campaign committee and other authorized committees of the campaign must disclose all financial activity that occurred before registration and before the individual became a candidate including any testing the waters activity , beginning with the first date of activity through the end of the current reporting period.

AO Loans for candidate's personal expenses. AO Termination of dual candidacy. AO Testing-the-waters activities by potential Presidential candidate. AO Nonconnected PAC's expenditures for candidate's testing-the-waters activities. AO Interaction between independent-expenditure-only committees and federal candidates and prospective federal candidates.

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of , as amended 52 U. Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Testing the waters vs. campaigning An individual may carry out a variety of activities to test the waters.

Campaigning Certain activities, however, indicate an individual has decided to become a candidate and is no longer testing the waters. Campaigning as opposed to testing the waters is apparent, for example, when: Make or authorize statements that refer to themselves as candidates "Smith in " or "Smith for Senate" ; Use general public political advertising to publicize their intention to campaign; Inform the media either directly or through an advisor that they will announce their candidacy on a certain date; Raise more money than what is reasonably needed to test the waters or funds to be used after candidacy is established; Conduct activities over a protracted period of time or shortly before the election; or Take action to qualify for the ballot.

The limits apply, for example, to: Gifts of money, goods, and services; Loans except bank loans ; Certain staff advances until repaid; Endorsements and guarantees of bank loans ; and Funds given or personally loaned to the individual to pay for their living expenses during the testing the waters period.

Learn more about contributions and other sources of support. Recordkeeping An individual who tests the waters must keep financial records.

Separate bank account Another consideration, though not a requirement, is the segregation of testing the waters funds from personal funds. EXAMPLE Mr. Learn more about getting a tax ID and bank account. Organizing a testing the waters committee An individual may organize a "committee" for testing the waters.

Special rules for first report When filing the first report due after registering as a political committee, the principal campaign committee and other authorized committees of the campaign must disclose all financial activity that occurred before registration and before the individual became a candidate including any testing the waters activity , beginning with the first date of activity through the end of the current reporting period.

Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email. Continue learning about this topic Video Testing the Waters. Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR Advisory opinions AO Loans for candidate's personal expenses AO Termination of dual candidacy AO Testing-the-waters activities by potential Presidential candidate AO Nonconnected PAC's expenditures for candidate's testing-the-waters activities AO Interaction between independent-expenditure-only committees and federal candidates and prospective federal candidates.

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I was a bit sceptical and decided to test the water before committing the complete management team. It's hard to make a comment until we test the water at the party conference.

If you test the water or test the waters , you try something in order to see if you like it or it is suitable. This placement period in a company can provide an excellent opportunity to test the waters without long-term commitment.

Test the water. Rent a motor caravan for a few days and see how you like it before buying one of your own. Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. To try something out. See also: test , to , water. The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © by Christine Ammer.

References in periodicals archive? Meanwhile I am thinking of a military draft of critics of our foreign policy to lead the attack and test the waters.

No loss much gain think you not? Locsin 'to send' admin critics to 'test waters' vs China in WPS. Burgess is taking everything in his stride. It's one the church is ready for, and we are trying to be responsive to the renewed emphasis on theological education recently announced by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

John's develops diploma in applied theology: program also offers third year. We continue to receive calls from landlords and tenants ready to test the waters because they see the market holding.

Landlords, tenants still believe in New York City. Most often, I have one or two people tell me that I've firmed up an interest that has been gnawing at them, and several more people asking me questions to test the waters or to see if they can find a weak spot in my argument or conviction.

Talkin' the Talk. We recognize that most companies are just beginning to test the waters for electronic distribution after several years of false starts , but there's clearly the potential for an important change in how software is produced, marketed, and delivered to customers. While learning of the latest technology, foundrymen will test the waters of the best foundry equipment in the world at GIFA ' Technology to be exhibited, shared at international event.

Fishermen from this town had expressed fear of a backlash from the filing of the complaint, but those from Barangay Cato who had sailed to Panatag to ' test the waters ' returned on Thursday with good news. This time, unhindered PH fishing in Panatag. to try to find out what the reaction to an idea or plan might be before taking action to put it into effect.

I was a bit sceptical. I decided to test the water before committing the complete management team. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Examples of 'test the water' in a sentence test the water. These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.

We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…. Barbara Erskine HIDING FROM THE LIGHT. MacLeod, Charlotte SOMETHING IN THE WATER.

Forbes, Bryan A SONG AT TWILIGHT. Browse alphabetically test the water. Related terms of test the water. Definition of test the water from the Collins English Dictionary. Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries. Quick word challenge Quiz Review. duck or fish? like a duck to water like a fish to water.

calf or cat? kill the fatted calf kill the fatted cat. boots or shoe? get too big for your boots get too big for your shoe. black or green? black and blue green and blue. hair or nose?

get out of someone's hair get out of someone's nose. Check See the answer Next Next quiz Review. Feb 12, Get the latest news and gain access to exclusive updates and offers Sign me up. romantasy Feb 01, E Jan 29, proxies Jan 29, sagitta Jan 29, View More Submit. It's World Pizza Day, and to celebrate we discuss the vocabulary around one of our favourite food staples.

Buon appetito! Read more. Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.

Express what you need to do confidently in English! Our simple guide will teach you how to communicate what you need to do with ease.

Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android. Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.

We have almost lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge! There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today.

We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.

But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? apple or plum? a in your mouth. cry or laugh? cry your head off laugh your head off. stomach or throat? have butterflies in your stomach have butterflies in your throat. head or neck?

stick your out. storm or wind? throw caution to the storm throw caution to the wind. Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.

Register now or log in to access. LANGUAGE English English Dictionary. French English to French. French to English. Pronunciation Guide. Video Build your vocabulary. Quiz French confusables. French images. German English to German.