Contribution Limits to Candidates
Some states have limits on financial contributions to candidates. These vary according to the source of the contribution (individuals, political action committees, corporations and unions) and the office the candidate is seeking. Additionally, in some states, the laws restricting contributions made during a legislative session differ from those addressing contributions made outside that window or on foreign contributions.
What are the limits for individuals giving to candidates?
Contribution limits for individuals giving to candidates vary by state. Eleven states[4] allow for higher contribution limits from individual donors when the candidates agree to spending limits.
What are the limits for political action committees giving to candidates?
Limits for PACs follow a similar pattern to limits from individuals in that they vary by state. Ten states[7] use the same contribution limits for PACs as they use for individual contributions. Overall, contribution limits from PACs range from $180 to $59,900. Some states set limits based on committee type (small-contributor committees, big PACs, mega PACs, etc.).
What are the limits for corporations giving to candidates?
Contributions from corporations are much more strictly limited than contributions from individuals or PACs. Five states[11] have other limits, and Washington places individual limits on in-state corporations and prohibits outside corporate contributions.
What are the limits for unions giving to candidates?
Contributions from corporations are much more strictly limited than contributions from individuals or PACs. Five states[11] have other limits, and Washington places individual limits on in-state corporations and prohibits outside corporate contributions.
Are there restrictions on contributions to candidates during legislative sessions?
Twenty-nine[18] prohibit only lobbyist contributions during session.
What states address foreign political contributions in statute?
Twenty-three states have regulations relating to foreign or out-of-state contributions. In all 23, contributions from foreign nationals are banned outright; in 12 states, contributions from foreign corporations are also banned. Some states have exceptions for contributions from foreign-owned, domestic corporations.
Do states address cryptocurrency as a medium for political contributions in statute?
The use of cryptocurrency for making political contributions is an emerging area of legislative interest. Most states have no regulations on cryptocurrency, although the Federal Election Commission began permitting cryptocurrency contributions to federal campaigns in 2014.
Fourteen states have some sort of regulation regarding cryptocurrency or digital currency contributions. Six states[21] have administratively approved its use. Georgia and Illinois allow candidates to accept cryptocurrency, but no specific laws or rules have been adopted. Colorado and Washington limit cryptocurrency contributions to $100 per cycle per candidate; Georgia and Montana require that cryptocurrency contributions be converted to U.S. dollars immediately to ensure they do not exceed the legal limit.
[1] Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
[2] Mississippi allows unlimited contributions to statewide and legislative candidates; for most other candidates, there is a limit of $2,500, and for state supreme court and court of appeals candidates, the limit is $5,000.
[3] New York’s limit for contributions to statewide candidates ranges from $7,500-$22,600.
[4] Colorado and New Hampshire.
[5] Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
[6] Indiana, Mississippi and Wyoming.
[7] Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.
[8] Alabama, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.
[9] Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
[10] California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia.
[11] Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
[12] Alabama, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.
[13] Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
[14] California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia.
[15] Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee.
[16] Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington.
[17] Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
[18] Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.
[19] Arkansas, California, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon and South Carolina
[20] Arizona, Tennessee and Washington.
[21] Colorado, Montana and Ohio.