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Prohibited Donors

Last updated February 5, 2008

Return to the main campaign finance page

Return to the contribution limits page

View a 50-state chart of limits on cash contributions

View selected statutes governing contributions by minors )

Cash Contributions

30 states limit

Most set the limit at $100

Some states set the limit as low as $25

Contributions by Minors

Restricted in at least 19 states

Most states treat contributions by minors as contributions from the child's parent/guardian

A few states have separate contribution limits for minors, ranging from $25 - $100

Ohio prohibits contributions by any person under the age of seven

Contributions by Lobbyists

State	Restriction
Alaska	A lobbyist cannot contribute to a candidate for legislature while lobbyist is subject to registration requirements and for one year after, except to candidate in the district where the lobbyist will be eligible to vote on the day of the election
California	Lobbyists may not contribute to state candidates or officeholders if registered to lobby the candidate’s or officeholder’s agency
Kentucky	Lobbyists may not contribute to legislative candidates, nor may legislative candidates accept contributions from lobbyists
Massachusetts	Contributions by executive and legislative agents are limited to $200 per calendar year to an individual candidate or committee
South Carolina	A lobbyist shall not offer, solicit, facilitate, or provide contributions on behalf of any member of the General Assembly, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, any other statewide constitutional officer, any public official of any state agency

Non-Citizens

Some states specifically prohibit contributions by non-U.S. citizens. However, prohibitions under state law are unnecessary, as federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals to any federal, state or local candidate, unless the foreign national possesses a green card. (2 U.S. Code 441e)

For more information

For more information on campaign finance reform, contact Jennie Drage Bowser.