State-by-state comparison of campaign finance requirements

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Campaign finance laws regulate the use of money in elections. Generally speaking, campaign finance laws regulate the sources and amounts of contributions to political candidates and campaigns, as well as the disclosure of information about campaign funds. While federal laws regulate the use of money in federal elections (i.e., presidential and congressional elections), the states themselves implement and enforce campaign finance laws for state-level candidates (such as governors and state legislators). Consequently, there is variation in campaign finance laws from state to state.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • In the 2017-2018 election cycle, 11 states permitted unlimited contributions from individuals to state-level political candidates.
  • In the remaining states, contribution limits ranged depending upon the office being sought by the recipient. For example, for gubernatorial candidates, limits ranged from $500 per year in Alaska to $44,000 per general election in New York.

    • Campaign finance laws are a source of ongoing debate. Proponents of more stringent campaign finance laws claim that the current laws do not go far enough to mitigate corruption and the influence of undisclosed special interests. Opponents claim that strict disclosure requirements and donation limits impinge upon the rights to privacy and free expression, hampering participation in the political process.

    The tables below summarize key campaign finance provisions in each of the 50 states.

    Contribution limits

    2018

    The table below summarizes individual contribution requirements by state in the 2017-2018 election cycle. Unlimited contribution limit provisions are highlighted in light green; contribution limits of $500 or less are highlighted in light yellow.[1]

    Individual contribution limits by state, 2017-2018
    State Gubernatorial candidates State legislature, upper chamber, candidates State legislature, lower chamber, candidates Notes
    Alabama Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Alaska $500 $500 $500 Limits apply per year.
    Arizona $5,100 $5,100 $5,100
    Arkansas $2,700 $2,700 $2,700 Limits apply per election.
    California $29,200 $4,400 $4,400 Limits apply per election.
    Colorado $575 $200 $200 Limits apply per election.
    Connecticut $3,500 $1,000 $250 Limits apply per election.
    Delaware $1,200 $600 $600 LImits apply per election cycle.
    Florida $3,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election.
    Georgia $6,600 $2,600 $2,600 Limits apply per election.
    Hawaii $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 Limits apply per election.
    Idaho $5,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election.
    Illinois $5,600 $5,600 $5,600 Limits apply per election cycle.
    Indiana Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Iowa Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Kansas $2,000 $1,000 $500 Limits apply per election.
    Kentucky $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 Limits apply per election.
    Louisiana $5,000 $2,500 $2,500 Limits apply per election.
    Maine $1,600 $400 $400 Limits apply per election.
    Maryland $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 Limits apply per four-year election cycle.
    Massachusetts $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per calendar year.
    Michigan $6,800 $2,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election cycle.
    Minnesota $4,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per two-year election segment.
    Mississippi Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Missouri $2,600 $2,600 $2,600 Limits apply per election.
    Montana $500 $130 $130 Limits apply per election.
    Nebraska Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Nevada $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 LImits apply per election.
    New Hampshire $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 LImits apply per election.
    New Jersey $3,800 $3,000 $3,000 LImits apply per election.
    New Mexico $5,500 $2,500 $2,500 LImits apply per election.
    New York $44,000 $11,000 $4,400 Limits apply per general election.
    North Carolina $5,200 $5,200 $5,200 LImits apply per election.
    North Dakota Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Ohio $12,707.79 $12,707.79 $12,707.79 Limits apply per election.
    Oklahoma $2,700 $2,700 $2,700 Limits apply per campaign.
    Oregon Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Pennsylvania Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Rhode Island $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per calendar year.
    South Carolina $3,500 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election.
    South Dakota $4,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per calendar year.
    Tennessee $4,000 $1,500 $1,500 Limits apply per election.
    Texas Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Utah Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Vermont $4,080 $1,530 $1,020 Limits apply per two-year election cycle.
    Virginia Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
    Washington $2,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election.
    West Virginia $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Limits apply per election.
    Wisconsin $20,000 $2,000 $1,000 According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, "amounts apply for term of office for an incumbent; for non-incumbents, the amounts apply beginning on the date on which the person becomes a candidate and ends on the day before the term of office begins."
    Wyoming $2,500 $1,500 $1,500 Limits apply per election.
    Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates, 2017-2018 Election Cycle," updated June 27, 2017

    2016

    The table below summarizes individual contribution requirements by state in the 2015-2016 election cycle. Unlimited contribution limit provisions are highlighted in light green; contribution limits of $500 or less are highlighted in light yellow.

    Reporting requirements

    Reporting methods

    2016

    According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 30 states required some form of electronic reporting by candidates and committees in the 2015-2016 election cycle. Reporting schedules varied from state to state, though most required some combination of regular reports and election-specific reports. The table below summarizes these campaign finance reporting requirements by state.[2]

    Campaign finance reporting requirements by state, 2015-2016
    State Reporting schedule Electronic reporting required Public-facing campaign finance reporting system
    Alabama Monthly beginning a year prior to the election; weekly beginning four weeks prior to the election; daily beginning eight days prior to the election Yes Link
    Alaska Month before the election; week before the election; 105 days after special election; 24 hours after receiving contributions of $250 or more; Feb. 15 for any activity not otherwise reported Yes Link
    Arizona June 30; four days prior to the election; 30 days after the election; annually Yes Link
    Arkansas Quarterly; monthly (starting the year prior to the election); seven days prior to the election; 30 days after the election No Link
    California Semi-annually; pre-election reports; within 10 days of receiving contributions of $5,000 or more; within 24 hours for every contribution exceeding $1,000 from a single source Yes Link
    Colorado Quarterly in non-election years; first Monday in May in election years, then every two weeks prior to the primary; monthly six months before election; first Monday in September in election years, then every two weeks prior to the general election; 30 days after the election; 14 days before and 30 days after special elections Yes Link
    Connecticut January, April, July, and October reports; 30 days prior to the election; eight days prior to the election No Link
    Delaware Annual; 30 days before the election; eight days before the election No Link
    Florida Monthly; 60 days preceding primary, then weekly; 10 days preceding the general election, then daily No Link
    Georgia Biannually in non-election years; every other month in election years; six days before an election; within 24 hours for contributions of $1,000 or more; 15 days prior to special elections Yes Link
    Hawaii 30 days prior to a primary; 10 days prior to a primary; 10 days prior to a general election; 20 days after a primary; 30 days after a general election; January 31 after election year; July 31 after election year Yes Link
    Idaho Week before a primary; 30 days after a primary; October 10 preceding a general election; week before a general election; 30 days after a general election No Link
    Illinois Quarterly; within five days of receiving a contribution of $1,000 or more Yes Link
    Indiana Annually; 25 days prior to nomination; 25 days prior to general election No Link
    Iowa May 19; July 19; October 19; January 19 No Link
    Kansas Eight days prior to primary/general election; January 10 after election; annually if a candidate is not participating in an election No Link
    Kentucky Quarterly; 32 days prior to an election; 15 days prior to an election; 30 days after an election No Link
    Louisiana 180, 90, 30, and 10 days prior to a primary; 15 days before a general election; 40 days after a general election No Link
    Maine Biannually in non-election years when a candidate raises $500 or more; 11 days prior to an election; daily for contributions of $1,000 or more; 42 days prior to a general election; 42 days after a general election Yes Link
    Maryland Third Tuesday in April; fifth Tuesday prior to a primary; last Tuesday in August prior to a general election; second Friday prior to a general election; second Tuesday after a general election Yes Link
    Massachusetts Eight days prior to a primary/general election; January 20 after the election Yes Link
    Michigan Annually; quarterly; 16 days prior to an election; 20 days after an election Yes Link
    Minnesota Annually; 10 days prior to a primary/general election; 30 days after a general election No Link
    Mississippi Annually; seven days prior to an election Yes Link
    Missouri Quarterly; 40 days prior to an election; eight days prior to an election; 30 days after an election Yes Link
    Montana Quarterly; March 10, April 10, June 10, August 10, September 10 and September 15; five days before an election; within 24 hours of receiving a contribution of $200 or more; 20 days after an election Yes Link
    Nebraska March 9; March 30; May 18; April 27; June 15 No Link
    Nevada 21 days prior to a primary/general election; four days prior to a primary/general election No Link
    New Hampshire Three Wednesdays prior to an election; Wednesday prior to an election; second Wednesday after an election No Link
    New Jersey Quarterly; 29 days prior to an election; 11 days prior to an election; 20 days after an election Yes Link
    New Mexico Biannually; second Monday in April; second Monday in May; second Monday in September; second Monday in October; Thursday prior to an election; 30 days after an election Yes Link
    New York 30 days prior to an election; 11 days prior to an election; biannually Yes Link
    North Carolina Semiannually; quarterly; within 48 hours for contributions of $1,000 or more No Link
    North Dakota May 9 prior to primary; October 3 primary to general election; January 31 for preceding year; within 48 hours for contributions of $500 or more No Link
    Ohio 12 days prior to an election; 38 days after an election; last business of January in every year; last business day of July in every year Yes Link
    Oklahoma Quarterly; eight days prior to an election Yes Link
    Oregon Every transaction is reported as it occurs. Yes Link
    Pennsylvania Sixth Tuesday and second Friday prior to an election; 30 days after an election No Link
    Rhode Island Annually; every 90 days after a committee registers; 28 and seven days prior to a primary; 28 days prior to a general election; 28 days after an election Yes Link
    South Carolina Quarterly; 15 days after an election Yes Link
    South Dakota July 5; 15 days prior to an election; 30 days after an election Yes Link
    Tennessee Quarterly; seven days prior to an election; January 31 in the year after an election Yes Link
    Texas January 15; July 15; 30 days prior to an election; eighth day prior to an election Yes Link
    Utah April 15; August 31; seven days prior to an election; annually on January 10 No Link
    Vermont March 15; July 15; August 15; September 1; October 1; October 15; Friday prior to an election; two weeks after an election; July 15 in off-years No Link
    Virginia For May elections: eight days prior; June 15; July 15
    For November elections: April 15; July 15; September 15; eight days prior; 30 days after; January 15 after the election     		Yes Link
    Washington June 1; monthly until May of election year; 21 days prior to an election; seven days prior to an election; 10th day of the month of the month after an election Yes Link
    West Virginia April 4; May 2; June 23; September 26; October 24; December 15; every April No Link
    Wisconsin Eight days prior to an election; 30 days after an election Yes Link
    Wyoming Seven days prior to an election; 10 days after an election Yes Link
    Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements, 2015-2016 Election Cycle," updated July 17, 2015

    Ballot measures and legislation

    Ballot measures

    Ballotpedia has tracked the following 2018 ballot measures relating to election and campaign finance policy.

    1. South Carolina Amendment 1, Appointed Superintendent of Education Measure (2018)
    2. North Dakota Measure 1, Ethics Commission, Foreign Political Contribution Ban, and Conflicts of Interest Initiative (2018)
    3. South Dakota Initiated Measure 24, Ban Out-of-State Contributions to Ballot Question Committees Initiative (2018)
    4. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment W, State Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws, Government Accountability Board, and Initiative Process Amendment (2018)
    5. Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative (2018)
    6. Arizona Proposition 306, Clean Election Account Uses and Commission Rulemaking Measure (2018)
    7. Maine Question 1, Ranked-Choice Voting Delayed Enactment and Automatic Repeal Referendum (June 2018)

    Legislation

    Campaign finance laws are written, administered and enforced primarily at the state level. The following is a list of recent campaign finance bills that have been introduced in or passed by state legislatures. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

    Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Campaign finance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    State-by-state comparison of campaign finance requirements - Google News

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates, 2017-2018 Election Cycle," updated June 27, 2017
    2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements, 2015-2016 Election Cycle," updated July 17, 2015
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