Notice that a hyphen is never to be used. Use each spelling accordingly in your writing. In short, black out is a verb and blackout is a noun. Alternatively, a blackout can be when an activity, usually a sporting event, is banned from being televised. It can also be the period of time where electricity has failed in a city, and the period of time a person can lose consciousness. The verb also means to institute a blackout on something.Ī blackout can be a precaution against an enemy, where the lights are kept off to keep a people’s presence hidden. A person can black out if he or she loses consciousness or vision for a period of time. The verb can also be used to put something in complete darkness, either by blocking the light or disabling electricity. It is the Member's responsibility to comply with the law and should be aware of any election in which they are a candidate for office.To black out something is to delete or obscure it.

Blackout dates were collected from publicly available information from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia elections' office. The dates outlined above are for reference purposes only. Video teleconferencing services in support of official business.Updates to the Member's official web site(s) or social media pages.Mass mailings or communications to Members of Congress, government officials (federal, state, and/or local), and mailings of news releases to bona fide communications media outlets.Mailings or communications which are in direct response, i.e., a solicited response, to inquiries or requests from the person to whom the response is directed.E-communications distributed to subscribers within the district the Member currently represents.Military Academy Days, and An Artistic Discovery Advertisements for employment and internship opportunities in the Member's congressional office, U.S.Paid video or audio communications distributed to more than 499 unsolicited recipients.Text messages, flyers, leaflets, handouts, etc.Mass mailings, e.g., newsletters, meeting notices, newspaper inserts, surveys, and questionnaires, etc.Advertisements (radio, TV, internet, newspaper, etc.) of town hall meetings or of the personal appearance of the Member and/or the Member's employees at an official event.E-communications distributed to non-subscribers.

A mass communication is defined as any distribution of 500 or more pieces of substantially identical content (whether such communication is distributed singly or in bulk, or at the same time or different times), regardless of the means of the distribution - over the course of a legislative year (January 3 of one year through January 2 of the following year).Įxamples of prohibited mass communications and mass mailings include: Section 3210 (a)(6)(A) provides that a Member may not send mass communications during the 60 days immediately preceding the date of any election (primary, general, special, or runoff) in which the Member's name will appear on the ballot as a candidate for election or re-election to any public office. Some states may have runoff date restrictions. The General Election Blackout for Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner begins September 9, 2022. Please Note: Primaries are subject to change. Dates listed are tentative and are subject to change.Ī Member may not send any unsolicited mass mailing or mass communication less than 60 days immediately before the date of any primary or general election (whether regular, special or runoff) in which the Member is a candidate for public office.Sourced by Secretary of State websites and Federal Election Commission.

Black out days