Which type of communications are considered to be made by organizations that are independent of the candidates?

Independent expenditures are types of communications made by organizations that are not coordinated with the candidates they support. These expenditures arise mainly from groups that can spend money to advocate for a candidate without directly contributing to their campaign. By law, these organizations must operate independently of the campaigns, meaning they cannot collaborate or have communication with the candidates regarding the use of these funds.

This classification plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of elections, as it helps to avoid potential conflicts of interest that could arise from candidates directly controlling campaign funds. Independent expenditures can include advertisements, mailings, or other forms of messaging that promote a candidate's election, reflecting the organization's independent support.

In contrast, the other types of communications mentioned do not fit the criteria of being independent. Electioneering communications typically refer to any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication that mentions a candidate and is designed to influence voters, but these can have ties to the candidates. Soft money contributions refer to funds donated to parties for party-building activities, which are not directly linked to candidates. Public communications usually apply to a broader range of messaging from various sources that may include candidate ties, thus not falling under the independent category.