If you’re in politics, you’re familiar with the term “redboxing.”
For the rest of us, it sounds more like the old-fashioned way of renting DVDs or Blu-Rays outside of your local CVS or grocery store than anything involving money, messaging, or influence.
Although these ancient kiosks are no longer operated, the terminology and rules of the Federal Election Commission are still current and the candidate for the 7th Congressional District Ryan Crosswell he was likely in the FEC’s crosshairs.
“Redboxing” is a controversial U.S. political tactic in which campaigns operate public websites to signal ad message, targeting and media instructions to supporting super PACs, potentially violating campaign finance laws that prohibit coordination. By placing instructions in a red-bordered box, campaigns bypass spending limits by directing “stand-alone” spending.
screenshot taken on March 27, 202614:27
On a black background on a navy blue background you can read: “This content is password protected. Please enter your password below to view it.”
On or about March 17, 2026, Allentown resident – John Santana – noticed that the contents of the red Crosswell box were password protected, making them inaccessible to the general public. Santana also contacted us four days later and stated that the red box was still private. According to the complaint filed with the FEC, this “created a situation in which any outside group accessing and using this content could only do so through direct or indirect coordination with the campaign,” in violation of FEC rules.
The complaint also states that Crosswell “potentially facilitated the illegal transfer of in-kind contributions to (his) campaign from outside groups operating on non-public materials.”
Campaigns post specific requests for messages, videos and voter targeting information (e.g., demographic information) on their websites, often using a clearly marked red box, notes the Campaign Law Center. It is common to operate coded language such as “see” in the case of television advertising, “hear” in the case of radio, or “read” in the case of direct mail to direct an outgroup.
Redboxing also often involves posting footage and photos of the candidate, as well as race strategy tips. The super PAC supporting the candidate then uses the videos and photos in its ads along with the messages required by the campaign.
The goal is to allow campaigns to directly control the strategies of outside groups that are legally required to be independent.
According to the New York Times.the practice has become common, especially among Democrats, although it is now commonplace and comes under greater scrutiny as illegal coordination.
The filing requests that the FEC investigate and “find probable cause” that Crosswell and his campaign “have violated FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act) and applicable FEC regulations and take appropriate enforcement actions, including civil penalties.”
It should be noted that Crosswell’s website does not link to a “media” page, but adding the word “media” to the URL of its home page led to the discovery. The next Democratic candidate Carol Obando-Derstine – has password protected multimedia pagewhile other candidates – Lamont McClure – does not have a similar link on its websites. Bob Brookswhich has been approved by Governor Josh Shapiro, has a link to the media displaying a number of photos and a link containing basic information about the candidate’s campaign.
The Crosswell Campaign declined to comment, saying it had not received any complaint from the Commission.
According to him, complainant Santana most recently worked as a field organizer for the Pennsylvania Democrats LinkedIn side. Last March he filed a cassation appeal against Luis Acevedo, who tried to unseat his Democratic candidacy for Allentown City Council in the primary election. And in 2022, he was one of two people to challenge nominating petitions Norberto Dominguez Jr. from Allentown. Dominguez withdrew from the Democratic primary for the 22nd House District after his nomination petitions were challenged in the Commonwealth Court.
