Which step is NOT part of the typical fundraising process for political candidates?

Building a website is not typically considered a direct part of the fundraising process for political candidates. While having a website is essential for a modern political campaign, serving as a platform for information, communication, and online donations, it is more of a supportive tool. The primary steps in fundraising focus on strategies aimed at raising funds, such as establishing political action committees (PACs), forming exploratory committees to gauge support before an official campaign launch, and conducting fundraising events to directly solicit donations.

Establishing PACs helps candidates pool resources from multiple donors, while forming an exploratory committee allows them to assess the viability of a campaign, which can include fundraising capabilities. Conducting fundraising events is a tactical approach to engage potential donors and raise money directly. Thus, while a website is crucial, it does not inherently involve the fundraising process itself.