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Campaign finance requirements in Arizona
 in Arizona |
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Federal campaign finance laws and regulations |
|---|
| Campaign finance reform |
| History of campaign finance reform |
| State by state comparison of campaign finance reporting requirements |
| Election policy |
| State information |
Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates and campaigns may receive from individuals and organizations, how they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political parties may contribute to campaigns. In addition to direct campaign contributions, campaign finance laws also apply to third-party organizations and nonprofit organizations that seek to influence elections through independent expenditures or issue advocacy.
This page provides background on campaign finance regulation, lists contribution limits to state candidates and ballot measures in Arizona, compares contribution limits to gubernatorial and state legislative candidates in Arizona with those from other states, and details the candidate reporting requirements in Arizona.
The information on this page pertains to candidates for state office and state ballot measures. Candidates for federal office are subject to federal campaign finance law. Candidates for local office are subject to all applicable state laws as well as any separate local campaign finance regulations.[1]
Background
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign election laws. The FEC is responsible for disclosing campaign finance information, enforcing limits and prohibitions on contributions, and overseeing public funding of presidential elections.[2] According to the FEC, an individual becomes a federal candidate and must begin reporting campaign finances once he or she has either raised or spent $5,000 in his or her campaign. Within fifteen days of this benchmark, the candidate must register with the FEC and designate an official campaign committee, which is responsible for the funds and expenditures of the campaign. This committee must have an official treasurer and cannot support any candidate but the one who registered it. Detailed financial reports are then made to the FEC every financial quarter after the individual is registered. Reports are also made before primaries and before the general election.[3]
The rules governing federal election campaigns and contributions have evolved over the past generation as result of a number of Supreme Court decisions. In the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, the court held that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited. The court's decision also overturned the ban on for-profit and not-for-profit corporations and unions broadcasting electioneering communications in the 30 days before a presidential primary and in the 60 days before a general election.[4] In the SpeechNOW.org v. Federal Election Commission decision, the first application of the Citizens United decision, the court held that contribution limits on what individuals could give to independent expenditure-only groups, and the amount these organizations could receive, were unconstitutional. Contribution limits on donations directly to candidates, however, remained unchanged.[5][6] In 2014's McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission decision, the court overturned biennial aggregate campaign contribution limits, and held that individuals may contribute to as many federal candidates as they want, but may only contribute up to the federal limit in each case.[7]
While the FEC governs federal election campaigns and contribution limits, individual states require their own level of regulation and reporting. The amount of regulation required differs by state, as do the limits on campaign contributions and third-party activities to influence elections. Candidates for local office must follow any applicable state and local campaign finance regulations.
Contribution limits
The table below details contribution limits as they applied to various types of individuals and groups in Arizona as of July 2025. The uppermost row of the table indicates the contributor, while the leftmost column indicates the recipient. Contribution limits applied separately to primary and general elections.[8]
| Individuals | Single candidate committee | Political party | Political committee (PAC) | Super PACs | Mega PACS | Corporations | Unions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Candidate (incl. Governor) | $5,500 | $0 | $80,500 | $5,500 | $0 | $11,000 | $0 | $0 | |
| Senate | $5,500 | $0 | $8,500 | $5,500 | $0 | $11,000 | $0 | $0 | |
| House | $5,500 | $0 | $8,500 | $5,500 | $0 | $11,000 | $0 | $0 | |
| Political committee | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $0 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
| Political party | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $0 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
| Ballot measures | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $0 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
| Limits apply per election. | |||||||||
| Source: Arizona Secretary of State, "Campaign Contribution Limits 2025-2026 Election Cycle," accessed July 1, 2025 | |||||||||
State comparisons in the 2024 elections
Candidate reporting requirements
See statutes: Title 16, Chapter 6 of the Arizona Revised Statutes
The campaign finance reporting process for candidates seeking state office in Arizona is outlined below. Candidates seeking federal office must file with the Federal Election Commission. Reporting details for federal candidates are not included in this section.
Reporting
Candidates in Arizona file campaign finance reports with the Arizona Secretary of State through an online system. The system can be accessed here.
Committees
Before a candidate may file campaign finance reports, he or she must form a candidate committee within 10 days of qualifying as a committee. To do this, the candidate must file a Statement of Organization via the online campaign finance system. The candidate must designate a chairperson and a committee treasurer. The candidate may serve in both of these positions. If any information given on the original Statement of Organization changes, the candidate committee must file an amended Statement of Organization within 10 days of the change.[10]
If a candidate does not receive or spend $1,500 on their campaign, committee registration and campaign finance reporting are not required.[10]
Reports
Once the committee registration requirement has been triggered, campaign finance reports must cover all financial transactions related to the campaign, beginning with the committee’s cumulative, pre-registration financial activity and continuing until the day the candidate committee files a Termination Statement. Campaign finance reports must be filed even if no financial activity occurred during the reporting period.[10]
Reports must include the following:[11]
- the amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period
- the total amount and an itemized list of all receipts
- the total amount and an itemized list of all disbursements in excess of $250, including the recipient, the recipient's address, a description of the disbursement, and the amount and date of the disbursement
- the total sum of all receipts and disbursements for the reporting period
- a certification by the committee treasurer, issued under penalty of perjury, that the contents of the report are true and correct
The campaign finance report schedule for political committees and political parties is summarized in the table below.
| Report | Covers | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Non-election year report | Complete through the last day of the calendar quarter | Not later than the third Monday in the month after the calendar quarter |
| Pre-election Report | Complete from the first day of the applicable calendar quarter through the 17th day before the election | Not later than 10 days before the election |
| Post-election Report | Complete from the 16th day before the election through the last day of the applicable calendar quarter | Not later than the 15th day after the applicable calendar quarter |
| Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 16, Chapter 6, Section 927," accessed July 3, 2025 | ||
A candidate committee for a legislative candidate must file a campaign finance report only during the four calendar quarters comprising the 12-month period preceding the respective general election. A candidate committee for a statewide candidate must file a campaign finance report during each calendar quarter comprising the 48-month period preceding the respective general election.[12]
If any of the reports listed above are not filed in a timely manner, the Arizona Secretary of State will send email notice to the candidate committee within 5 calendar days of the report's due date. The mandatory fine is $10 for each day the report is not filed after the due date. If the late report is not filed within 15 days of receiving notice from the Arizona Secretary of State, the fine increases to $25 per day.[10]
Termination
A Termination Statement can be filed when the candidate committee will no longer receive contributions or make disbursements, that any surplus funds have been disposed of, that all outstanding campaign finance reports have been filed, that there are no outstanding debts owed, and that there are no outstanding late filing fines.[10]
Surplus funds can be disposed of in any of the following ways:[13]
- transfer funds to a new candidate committee for a future election
- return funds to the contributor
- contribute surplus monies pursuant to and within the limits prescribed in Article 1.2 of Chapter 6 of Arizona Revised Statutes
- donate funds to a charitable, tax-exempt organization
- if successful in the election, transfer funds to the candidate’s officeholder expense account
Citizens Clean Elections Commission
To participate in the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC), a candidate must agree not to accept funds from high-dollar contributions or special interests and to adhere to additional limitations and reporting. In return, the candidate receives public funding for his or her campaign.[14]
A candidate wishing to participate in the CCEC must file an Application for Certification with the Arizona Secretary of State. This form must be signed by the candidate and notarized.[14]An Application for Certification Report must be filed along with the Application for Certification if the candidate has already filed a Statement of Organization to cover any campaign transactions that have occurred prior to applying for participation in the CCEC.[10]
Once the CCEC accepts a candidate's application, the candidate is considered a participating candidate and must adhere to the CCEC's rules and regulations. However, the participating candidate must still qualify in order to receive funding. In order to qualify, the participating candidate must collect $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters in the district of the office the candidate seeks. Participating candidates may start collecting these qualifying contributions on August 1 of the year before the election and must file them, with an End of Qualifying Period Report one day before the primary.[14][15]The number of qualifying contributions needed varies depending on the office sought. For details, look to the table below.
| Office sought | Number of qualifying contributions needed | |
|---|---|---|
| Governor | 4,000 | |
| Secretary of State | 2,500 | |
| Attorney General | 2,500 | |
| Treasurer | 1,500 | |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | 1,500 | |
| Corporation Commission | 1,500 | |
| Mine Inspector | 500 | |
| State legislature | 500 | |
| Source: Arizona Clean Elections, "Clean Funding," accessed July 3, 2025 | ||
Once the qualifying contributions and Qualifying Contributions Report have been submitted, a participating candidate will receive funding.[16]Funding amounts are contingent on the office and are summarized in the table below. A participating candidate may not make expenditures in excess of the cash he or she has on hand, which includes early contributions as well as funding from the CCEC.[14] For details on the funding a candidate receives in a given election, see the table below.
| Office sought | Primary funding | General funding |
|---|---|---|
| Governor | $1,141,328 | $1,711,992 |
| Secretary of State | $295,743 | $443,615 |
| Attorney General | $295,743 | $443,615 |
| Treasurer | $147,836 | $221,754 |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | $147,836 | $221,754 |
| Corporation Commission | $147,836 | $221,754 |
| Mine Inspector | $73,943 | $110,915 |
| State legislature | $23,099 | $34,649 |
| Source: Arizona Clean Elections, "Clean Funding," accessed July 3, 2025 | ||
Below is a list of the additional reports required from candidates participating in the CCEC.
| Report | Covers | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Certification Report | Any campaign transactions that occurred since the candidate filed a Statement of Organization | Must be filed when the Application for Certification is filed, but only if the candidate already filed a Statement of Organization |
| End of Qualifying Period Report | All $5 qualifying contributions collected by the candidate | One day before the primary election |
| Return of Primary Funds Report | All campaign transactions through primary election day and any leftover funds, which must be returned to the CCEC when the report is filed | Five days after the primary election |
| Return of General Funds Report | All campaign transactions through general election day and any leftover funds, which must be returned to the CCEC when the report is filed | Five days after the general election |
| Sources: Arizona Clean Elections, "Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Guide," accessed July 3, 2025, Arizona Clean Elections, "Reporting Periods," accessed July 3, 2025 | ||
Noteworthy events
Judge strikes down portions of state's campaign finance law (2018)
On December 5, 2018, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David J. Palmer struck down portions of a campaign finance law enacted in Arizona in 2016. In particular, Palmer found that the 2016 law constituted an illegal attempt to supplant the Voter Protection Act, an earlier constitutional amendment adopted by voters. The 2016 law transferred the authority to investigate campaign finance violations from the Citizens Clean Election Commission to the secretary of state. The 2016 law permitted political parties to spend unlimited sums in support of candidates. The 2016 law also allowed for unlimited spending on legal fees, accounting fees, and other such services.[17]
Campaign finance legislation
The table below displays bills related to campaign finance introduced during or carried over to Arizona's current legislative session.[18]
Election and campaign ballot measures
Ballotpedia has tracked 36 statewide ballot measures relating to elections and campaigns.
- Arizona Proposition 100, Legislative Emergency Enactment of Laws Amendment (1996)
- Arizona Proposition 100, Executive Department Amendment (1974)
- Arizona Proposition 101, Recall Election Timing and Candidate Nomination Deadlines Amendment (1974)
- Arizona Proposition 121, Top-Two Primary Elections Initiative (2012)
- Arizona Proposition 100, Repeal Run-Off Requirement for State Executive Elections Amendment (1992)
- Arizona Proposition 103, Eligibility for State Office Amendment (1988)
- Arizona Proposition 105, Run-Off Requirement for State Executive Elections Amendment (1988)
- Arizona Proposition 200, Campaign Contributions Limitations Initiative (1986)
- Arizona Proposition 100, Initiative and Referendum Petition Filing Deadlines Amendment (1984)
- Arizona Proposition 100, Resign-to-Run Amendment (1980)
- Arizona Proposition 105, Corporation Commission Amendment (1968)
- Arizona Proposition 101, Congressional Vacancy Elections Amendment (1962)
- Arizona Proposition 102, Require Minimum 10% Turnout for Bond and Assessment Elections Amendment (1974)
- Arizona Proposition 102, Repeal Qualified Elector of Municipality Requirement for Non-Elected Officials Amendment (1972)
- Arizona Proposition 200, Commission to Administer Alternative Campaign Finance System Initiative (1998)
- Arizona Proposition 211, Campaign Finance Sources Disclosure Initiative (2022)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 106-107, Elections for Mine Inspector Amendment (1933)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 102-103, Election of Members of the State Tax Commission Amendment (1920)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 100-101, Term Limits for State Officials Amendment (1926)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 104-105, General Election Date Amendment (September 1922)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 300-301, 51% Vote Primary Election Candidates Referendum (1924)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 306-307, Change of County Seat Referendum (1914)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 306-307, Local Option for Alcohol Initiative (September 1950)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 106-107, Election of County Officers Amendment (September 1922)
- Arizona Proposition 102, Method of Increasing Local Spending Limits Amendment (1986)
- Arizona Measure Nos. 102-103, Irrigation Works for the Reclamation of Arid Lands Amendment (May 1927)
- Arizona Proposition 202, IRS Elimination Pledge on Ballot for Congressional Candidates Initiative (1998)
- Arizona Proposition 200, Voter Reward Initiative (2006)
- Arizona Proposition 205, Vote By Mail Initiative (2006)
- Arizona Proposition 133, Require Partisan Primaries and Prohibit Primaries Where Candidates Compete Regardless of Party Affiliation Amendment (2024)
- Arizona Proposition 131, Create Office of Lieutenant Governor Amendment (2022)
- Arizona Proposition 306, Clean Election Account Uses and Commission Rulemaking Measure (2018)
- Arizona Proposition 140, Single Primary for All Candidates and Possible RCV General Election Initiative (2024)
- Arizona Proposition 104, Local Spending Limit Adjustment Elections Amendment (1992)
- Arizona Proposition 137, End Term Limits and Retention Elections for Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges Amendment (2024)
- Arizona Prohibit Foreign Contributions for Election Administration and Ballot Measure Campaigns Measure (2026)
Election administration agencies
Election agencies
- See also: State election agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in Arizona can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.
Arizona County Election Officials
Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division
- 1700 W. Washington Street, Floor 7
- Phoenix, Arizona 85007
- Phone: 602-542-4285
- Toll free: 1-877-THE-VOTE
- Email: https://azsos.gov/webform/contact?department=1005
- Website: http://www.azsos.gov/
Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission
- Physical Address: 1110 W. Washington St., Suite 250
- Phoenix, Arizona 85007
- Mailing address: 1802 W. Jackson St. #129
- Phoenix, Arizona 85007
- Phone: 602-364-3477
- Toll free: 877-631-8891
- Fax: 602-364-3487
- Email: ccec@azcleanelections.gov
- Website: http://www.azcleanelections.gov/
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
- Washington, DC 20001
- Phone: 301-563-3919
- Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
- Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
- Website: https://www.eac.gov
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
- 1050 First Street, NE
- Washington, DC 20463
- Telephone: (202)-694-1100
- Toll-free: 1-800-424-9530
- Email: info@fec.gov
- Website: http://www.fec.gov/
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Arizona campaign finance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Campaign Finance Enforcement," accessed May 28, 2025
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "About the FEC," accessed June 27, 2012
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate Registration Brochure," accessed December 7, 2012
- ↑ New York Times, "Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit," January 21, 2010
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Speechnow.org v. FEC," April 7, 2014
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Two Federal Court Rulings Could Change Campaign Finance Landscape," March 26, 2010
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ongoing Litigation," accessed March 18, 2015
- ↑ State of Arizona Secretary of State, "Attorney General Opinion and recent court opinions on HB2593," accessed May 22, 2015
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates 2023-2024 Election Cycle," accessed May 8, 2025
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Arizona Secretary of State, "Candidate Committee: Campaign Finance Guide ," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 16, Chapter 6, Section 926," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 16, Chapter 6, Section 927," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 16, Chapter 6, Section 933," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Arizona Clean Elections, "Clean Funding," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Clean Elections, "Reporting Periods," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Clean Elections, "Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Guide," accessed July 3, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "Judge finds major parts of 2016 campaign finance law illegal," December 5, 2018
- ↑ Bills are organized by most recent action. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.
