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{{PPD election banner|State=New Jersey}}
{{PLP banner 2 (no disclaimer)|State=New Jersey}}
{{Campaign finance VNT}}{{tnr|maxwidth=200px}}<section begin=cfintro/>
{{Campaign finance VNT}}{{tnr|maxwidth=200px}}<section begin=cfintro/>
'''[[New Jersey]] campaign finance requirements''' govern the following:
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 organization]]s that seek to influence elections through [[independent expenditure]]s or [[issue advocacy]].
*how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations,
*how much and how often 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 organization]]s that seek to influence elections through [[independent expenditure]]s or [[issue advocacy]].  
This page provides [[#Background|'''background''']] on campaign finance regulation, lists [[#Contribution limits|'''contribution limits''']] to state candidates and ballot measures in [[New Jersey]], [[#State comparisons|'''compares contribution limits''']] to gubernatorial and state legislative candidates in New Jerseywith those from other states, and details the [[#Candidate reporting requirements|'''candidate reporting requirements''']] in New Jersey.
 
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.<ref>[https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/campaign-finance-enforcement ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "Campaign Finance Enforcement," accessed May 28, 2025]</ref>
 
{{TLDRbox as-of 2|August 2025:
| Individuals could contribute $5,800 per election to [[Governor of New Jersey|gubernatorial]] candidates, $5,500 per election to other statewide candidates, $5,500 per election to [[New Jersey State Senate|state senate]] candidates, and $5,500 per election to [[New Jersey House of Representatives|state house]] candidates.
| State parties could contribute unlimitedly to candidates for New Jersey state office.
| Political committees could contribute $17,300 per election to candidates for New Jersey state office.
| Corporations and union contribution limits to candidates for state office matched individual contribution limits.
}}


<table style="width:auto; border-top:solid 2px #407374; border-bottom:solid 2px #407374; background-color:#F0F0F0; padding:0.5em; margin-top:10px;" font-size=110%" align="center"><tr><td><center>As of May 2015, in New Jersey, super PACs were prohibited from making [[Campaign finance in New Jersey#Contribution limits|contributions]] to gubernatorial candidates, statewide candidates, senate candidates, assembly candidates, PACs, party committees, political committees, Legislative Leadership Committees, and ballot measures. Legislative leadership committees and political parties were prohibited from make contributions to gubernatorial candidates, statewide candidates, senate candidates, assembly candidates, PACs, and party committees. They, however, could make unlimited contributions to legislative leadership committees, as could corporations and unions.</center></tr></table>
<section end=cfintro/>
==Background==
==Background==
[[File:US-FederalElectionCommission.svg|200px|thumb|left|Seal of the United States [[Federal Election Commission]]]]
[[File:US-FederalElectionCommission.svg|200px|thumb|left|Seal of the United States [[Federal Election Commission]]]]
Line 17: Line 21:
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.<ref name="LiptakJan2010">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html?hp ''New York Times'', "Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit," January 21, 2010]</ref> 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, reNew Jerseyd unchanged.<ref name=FEC>[http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/speechnow.shtml ''Federal Election Commission'', "Speechnow.org v. FEC," April 7, 2014]</ref><ref name=OS>[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/03/two-federal-court-rulings-could-cha/ ''OpenSecrets'', "Two Federal Court Rulings Could Change Campaign Finance Landscape," March 26, 2010]</ref> 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.<ref name=fec>[http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/McCutcheon.shtml ''Federal Election Commission'', "Ongoing Litigation," accessed March 18, 2015]</ref>
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.<ref name="LiptakJan2010">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html?hp ''New York Times'', "Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit," January 21, 2010]</ref> 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, reNew Jerseyd unchanged.<ref name=FEC>[http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/speechnow.shtml ''Federal Election Commission'', "Speechnow.org v. FEC," April 7, 2014]</ref><ref name=OS>[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/03/two-federal-court-rulings-could-cha/ ''OpenSecrets'', "Two Federal Court Rulings Could Change Campaign Finance Landscape," March 26, 2010]</ref> 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.<ref name=fec>[http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/McCutcheon.shtml ''Federal Election Commission'', "Ongoing Litigation," accessed March 18, 2015]</ref>


While the FEC governs federal election campaigns and contribution limits, individual states enforce their own regulation and reporting requirements. Regulations vary by state, as do limits on campaign contributions and third-party activities to influence elections.
While the FEC governs federal election campaigns and contribution limits, individual states enforce their own regulation and reporting requirements. Regulations vary by state, as do 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==
==Contribution limits==
The table below details contribution limits as they applied to various types of individuals and groups in New Jersey as of May 2015. The uppermost row of the table indicates the contributor, while the leftmost column indicates the recipient.
The table below details contribution limits as they applied to various types of individuals and groups in New Jersey as of August 2025. The uppermost row of the table indicates the contributor, while the leftmost column indicates the recipient.


{| class="bptable sortable" style="background:none; text-align:center; width:500px;"
<datatable caption="New Jersey contribution limits as of August 2025"
! colspan="10" align="center" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | New Jersey contribution limits as of May 2015
  collapsible="no"
  width="100%"
>
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|  
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Individuals'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Single candidates committees'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Political committees'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Legislative leadership committee'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Political Party'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''[[Super PAC]]s'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Corporations'''
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; color: black;"|'''Unions'''
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|
| '''[[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]]'''||$5,800||$17,300||$17,300||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$5,800||$5,800
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Individuals'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Single candidates committees'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''PACs'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Political committee'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Legislative leadership committee'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Political Party'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''[[Super PAC]]s'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Corporations'''
! style="background-color:#F0F0F0; color: black;"|'''Unions'''
|-
|-
| '''[[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]]'''||$3,800||$8,200||$8,200||$8,200||$0||$0||$0||$2,600||$2,600
| '''Statewide Candidate'''||$5,500||$17,300||$17,300||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$5,500||$5,500
|-
|-
| '''Statewide Candidate'''||$2,600||$8,200||$8,200||$8,200||$0||$0||$0||$2,600||$2,600
| '''[[New Jersey State Senate|Senate]] candidate'''||$5,500||$17,300||$17,300||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$5,500||$5,500
|-
|-
| '''[[New Jersey State Senate|Senate]] candidate'''||$2,600||$8,200||$8,200||$8,200||$0||$0||$0||$2,600||$2,600
| '''[[New Jersey General Assembly|Assembly]]'''||$5,500||$17,300||$17,300||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$5,500||$5,500
|-
|-
| '''[[New Jersey General Assembly|Assembly]]'''||$2,600||$8,200||$8,200||$8,200||$0||$0||$0||$7,200||$7,200
| '''Political committees''' ||$15,200||$15,200||$15,200||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$15,200||$15,200
|-
|-
| '''[[PAC]]''' ||$7,200||$7,200||$7,200||$7,200||$0||$0||$0||$25,000||$25,000
| '''Party committees'''||$79,000||$79,000||$79,000||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$79,000||$79,000
|-
|-
| '''Party committees'''||$25,000||$25,000||$25,000||$25,000||$0||$0||$0||$7,200||$7,200
| '''Legislative Leadership Committee'''||$79,000||$79,000||$79,000||unlimited||unlimited||$0||$79,000||$79,000
|-
|-
| '''Political Committee'''||$7,200||$7,200||$7,200||$7,200||$0||$0||$0||$25,000||$25,000
| '''Ballot measures'''||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||$0||unlimited||unlimited
|-
|-
| '''Legislative Leadership Committee'''||$25,000||$25,000||$25,000||$25,000||unlimited||unlimited||$0||unlimited||unlimited
|style="line-height:135%;" align="left" colspan="10" | <small>''Limits apply per election.</small>
|-
|-
| '''Ballot measures'''||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||unlimited||$0||unlimited||unlimited
|style="line-height:135%;" align="left" colspan="10" | <small>'''Sources''': [https://www.elec.nj.gov/forcandidates/elect_limits.htm 'New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'', "Contribution Limits Chart," accessed August 13, 2025]</small>
|-class="sortbottom"
</datatable>
|style="line-height:135%;" align="left" colspan="10" | <small>'''Sources''': [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/forcandidates/elect_limits.htm ''New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'', “New Jersey Campaign Financing and Lobbying Disclosure,” accessed May 26, 2015]</small>
 
|}
===State comparisons in the 2024 elections===
::''See also: [[State-by-state comparison of campaign finance requirements]]''
{{Template:BPtabbed
|tabs-id=Important2024datesbanner
|count=4
 
|tab-1-label=Individual contribution limits
|tab-panel-1-content=
As of the 2024 elections, there were no individual contribution limits on contributions to gubernatorial or state legislative candidates in 12 states. The remaining 38 states, including New Jersey, had varying limits.
 
{{MultiColumnLayout
|columnsPerRow=2
|containerClass=container-callout
|content1=
<center><b>New Jersey</b></center>
Individual contribution limits in New Jersey:
*'''Governor''': $4,900 per election
*'''State Senate''': $2,600 per election
*'''State House''': $2,600 per election
|content2=
<center><b>Comparison to other states</b></center>
In other states with individual contribution limits:
*'''Governor'''
**Minimum: $625 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: $36,400 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in California|California]])
*'''State Senate'''
**Minimum: $200 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: $15,499.69 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Ohio|Ohio]])
*'''State House'''
**Minimum: $200 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: $15,499.69 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Ohio|Ohio]])
}}
 
<center><html><iframe title="Individual Contribution Limits to State Candidates, 2023-2024 election cycle" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-RWqU8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/RWqU8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 60% !important; border: none;" height="522" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></html></center>
 
 
|tab-2-label=Party contribution limits
|tab-panel-2-content=
As of the 2024 elections, there were no state party contribution limits on contributions to gubernatorial or state legislative candidates in 21 states, including New Jersey. The remaining 29 states had varying limits.
 
{{MultiColumnLayout
|columnsPerRow=2
|containerClass=container-callout
|content1=
<center><b>New Jersey</b></center>
State party contribution limits in New Jersey:
*'''Governor''': Unlimited
*'''State Senate''': Unlimited
*'''State House''': Unlimited
|content2=
<center><b>Comparison to other states</b></center>
In other states with party contribution limits:
*'''Governor'''
**Minimum: $1,950 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Maine|Maine]])
**Maximum: $874,182.62 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Ohio|Ohio]])
*'''State Senate'''
**Minimum: $475 ([[Campaign finance requirements in Maine|Maine]])
**Maximum: $174,371.53 ([[Campaign finance requirements in Ohio|Ohio]])
*'''State House'''
**Minimum: $475 ([[Campaign finance requirements in Maine|Maine]])
**Maximum: $174,371.53 ([[Campaign finance requirements in Ohio|Ohio]])
}}
 
<center><html><iframe title="State Party Contribution Limits to State Candidates, 2023-2024 election cycle" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-EEYB8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EEYB8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 60% !important; border: none;" height="522" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></html></center>
 
|tab-3-label=Political committee contribution limits
|tab-panel-3-content=
As of the 2024 elections, there were no political committee contribution limits on contributions to gubernatorial or state legislative candidates in 12 states. The remaining 38 states, including New Jersey, had varying limits.


==Candidate requirements==
{{MultiColumnLayout
|columnsPerRow=2
|containerClass=container-callout
|content1=
<center><b>New Jersey</b></center>
Political committee contribution limits in New Jersey:
*'''Governor''': 8,200 per election
*'''State Senate''': $8,200 per election
*'''State House''': $8,200 per election
|content2=
<center><b>Comparison to other states</b></center>
In other states with political committee contribution limits:
*'''Governor'''
**Minimum: $625 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: <CustomToolTip linktext="$86,000">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."</CustomToolTip><ref>[https://documents.ncsl.org/wwwncsl/Elections/Contribution-Limits-to-Candidates-2023-2024.pdf ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates 2023-2024 Election Cycle," accessed May 8, 2025]</ref> ([[Campaign finance requirements in Wisconsin|Wisconsin]])
*'''State Senate'''
**Minimum: $200 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: $68,500 per election cycle ([[Campaign finance requirements in Illinois|Illinois]])
*'''State House'''
**Minimum: $200 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Colorado|Colorado]])
**Maximum: $68,500 per election cycle ([[Campaign finance requirements in Illinois|Illinois]])
}}
 
<center><html><iframe title="Political Committee Contribution Limits to State Candidates, 2023-2024 election cycle" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-oA2mJ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/oA2mJ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 60% !important; border: none;" height="539" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></html></center>
 
|tab-4-label=Corporation and union contribution limits
|tab-panel-4-content=
As of the 2024 elections, there were no corporation or union contribution limits on contributions to gubernatorial or state legislative candidates in five states. They were prohibited in 20 states. The remaining 25 states, including New Jersey, had varying limits.
 
{{MultiColumnLayout
|columnsPerRow=2
|containerClass=container-callout
|content1=
<center><b>New Jersey</b></center>
Corporation/union contribution limits in New Jersey:
*'''Governor''': $4,900 per election
*'''State Senate''': $2,600 per election
*'''State House''': $2,600 per election
|content2=
<center><b>Comparison to other states</b></center>
In other states with corporation/union contribution limits:
*'''Governor'''
**Minimum: $1,200 per election cycle ([[Campaign finance requirements in Delaware|Delaware]])
**Maximum: $36,400 ([[Campaign finance requirements in California|California]])
*'''State Senate'''
**Minimum: $600 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Delaware|Delaware]])
**Maximum: $28,800 per election cycle ([[Campaign finance requirements in Tennessee|Tennessee]])
*'''State House'''
**Minimum: $500 per election ([[Campaign finance requirements in Kansas|Kansas]])
**Maximum: $14,400 per election cycle ([[Campaign finance requirements in Tennessee|Tennessee]])
}}
 
<center><html><iframe title="Corporation and Union Contribution Limits to State Candidates, 2023-2024 election cycle" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-35QXT" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/35QXT/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 60% !important; border: none;" height="539" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></html></center>
 
}}
 
==Candidate reporting requirements==
[[File:Seal of New Jersey.png|thumb|Seal of New Jersey]]
[[File:Seal of New Jersey.png|thumb|Seal of New Jersey]]
{{See code|Link=[http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=200201&depth=2&expandheadings=off&headingswithhits=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&softpage=TOC_Frame_Pg42 Title 19, Article 44 of the New Jersey Permanent Statutes]}}
{{See code|Link=[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-19/ Title 19, Article 44 of the New Jersey Permanent Statutes]}}


Candidates for all elected public offices in [[New Jersey]] must file reports of their campaign financial activity with the [[New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission]]. Candidates for federal office are not required to file with the commission.
Candidates for all elected public offices in [[New Jersey]] must file reports of their campaign financial activity with the [[New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission]]. Candidates for federal office are not required to file with the commission.


Each candidate is required to appoint a treasurer (a candidate may serve as his or her own treasurer) and create a campaign depository (a bank account) and file this information with the commission. Candidates must establish a reporting committee, which has the sole name under which a candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, labels its political identification statements, or otherwise does business. It is recommended that the name of the campaign depository should also be the same as the name of the committee. No later than 10 days after establishing a candidate committee, the candidate must file the "Single Candidate Committee Certificate of Organization and Designation of Campaign Treasurer and Depository" with the Commission.<ref>[http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=136834&Depth=2&depth=2&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&record={984B}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42 ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-11," accessed January 9, 2014]</ref><ref>[http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=136834&Depth=2&depth=2&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&record={984D}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42 ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-10," accessed January 9, 2014]</ref>
Each candidate is required to appoint a treasurer (a candidate may serve as his or her own treasurer) and create a campaign depository (a bank account) and file this information with the commission. Candidates must establish a reporting committee, which has the sole name under which a candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, labels its political identification statements, or otherwise does business. It is recommended that the name of the campaign depository should also be the same as the name of the committee. No later than 10 days after establishing a candidate committee, the candidate must file the "Single Candidate Committee Certificate of Organization and Designation of Campaign Treasurer and Depository" with the Commission.<ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-19/section-19-44a-11/ ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-11," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref><ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-19/section-19-44a-10/ ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-10," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref>


An organizational or campaign treasurer or deputy organizational or campaign treasurer of a candidate committee or joint candidates committee must keep a written record of all funds received as contributions. This must include the following:
An organizational or campaign treasurer or deputy organizational or campaign treasurer of a candidate committee or joint candidates committee must keep a written record of all funds received as contributions. This must include the following:
*the name and mailing address of the contributor
*the name and mailing address of the contributor
*the amount and date of the contribution
*the amount and date of the contribution
*if the contributor is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer<ref>[http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/19-elections/44a-12.html ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-12," accessed January 14, 2014]</ref>
*if the contributor is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer<ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-19/section-19-44a-12/ ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-12," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref>


===Reporting requirements===
===Reporting requirements===
A candidate committee must begin filing reports with the [[New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission|commission]] on a date that depends upon when the committee's financial activity commences. If a candidate committee is begun within five months or less of the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a 29-day pre-election report as the initial election fund report. If the committee is established more than five months prior to the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a quarterly report as its initial election fund report.<ref name=njfinanceguide>[http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/man_cf.pdf ''New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'', "Compliance Manual for Candidates," accessed January 9, 2014]</ref>
A candidate committee must begin filing reports with the [[New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission|commission]] on a date that depends upon when the committee's financial activity commences. If a candidate committee is begun within five months or less of the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a 29-day pre-election report as the initial election fund report. If the committee is established more than five months prior to the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a quarterly report as its initial election fund report.<ref name=njfinanceguide>[https://www.elec.nj.gov/pdffiles/forms/compliance/man_cf.pdf ''New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'', "Compliance Manual for Candidates," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref>


The forms that a candidate must file depend upon the committee type (single or joint) and the amount of money that will be spent in the election. See the tables below for further details.
The forms that a candidate must file depend upon the committee type (single or joint) and the amount of money that will be spent in the election.<ref>[https://www.njelecregister.com/ShortForms ''New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'', "FORMS," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref>
 
====For single candidate committee====
{| class="bptable" style="width:600px;"
|-
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending nothing
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending $4,500 or less
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending $4,500 or more
|-
| [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/a1.pdf Form A-1] || [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/a1.pdf Form A-1] and [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/d1.pdf Form D-1] || [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/d1.pdf Form D-1] and [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/r1.pdf Form R-1]
|}
====For joint candidate committee====
{| class="bptable" style="width:600px;"
|-
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending nothing
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending $8,500 or less
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#407374; color: white;" | Spending $8,500 or more
|-
| [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/a2.pdf Form A-2]  || [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/d2.pdf Form D-2] and [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/a2.pdf Form A-2] || [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/d2.pdf Form D-2] and [http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/compliance/r1.pdf Form R-1]
|}


===Reporting schedule===
===Reporting schedule===
Line 100: Line 215:
*the 20th day after the election
*the 20th day after the election
   
   
Concurrent with the report filed on the 20th day following an election, or at any time thereafter, the treasurer may certify to the commission that the election fund of the committee has settled its business and been dissolved, or that business regarding the election has been settled up but the committee will continue for the deposit and use of contributions.<ref>[http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/19-elections/44a-16.html ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-16," accessed January 14, 2014]</ref>
Concurrent with the report filed on the 20th day following an election, or at any time thereafter, the treasurer may certify to the commission that the election fund of the committee has settled its business and been dissolved, or that business regarding the election has been settled up but the committee will continue for the deposit and use of contributions.<ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-19/section-19-44a-16/ ''New Jersey Permanent Statutes'', "Title 19:44A-16," accessed August 13, 2025]</ref>


==Campaign finance legislation==
==Campaign finance legislation==
The following is a list of recent campaign finance bills that have been introduced in or passed by the [[New Jersey State Legislature|New Jersey state legislature]]. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by [https://www.billtrack50.com/ BillTrack50] and [https://legiscan.com/ LegiScan].
The table below displays bills related to campaign finance introduced during or carried over to New Jersey's current legislative session.<ref name=tracker>''Bills are organized by most recent action. Clicking on a bill will open its page on [https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker], which includes bill details and a summary.''</ref><br>


''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.''
<html><iframe src="https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/search?state=NJ&category=Campaign%20finance%20for%20ballot%20measures&category=Campaign%20finance%20for%20candidates&category=Campaign%20finance%20for%20party%20committees%20and%20political%20action%20committees&category=Campaign%20use%20of%20funds&category=Contribution%20limits&category=Disclosure%20and%20reporting%20requirements&category=Foreign%20contributions&category=Public%20campaign%20financing&category=Use%20of%20public%20campaign%20funds&session=&page=1&embed=true" frameborder="1" height="500" width=100%></iframe></html>
<BillTrack50 width=950 height=300 rows=25 stateFilter="NJ" title="Campaign finance in New Jersey" billSheet="febc1f7e-d0fa-4c5f-830d-8fca8c96e8b4"/>


==Election and campaign ballot measures==
==Election and campaign ballot measures==
Line 120: Line 234:
}}
}}


==Election-related agencies==
{{#section: Election administration in New Jersey|agency}}
::''See also: [[Campaign finance agencies in New Jersey]] and [[State election agencies]]''
'''Federal Election Commission''' (FEC)<br>
Candidates running for office may require some form of interaction with the following agencies:
:1050 First Street, NE
 
:Washington, DC 20463<br>
*'''New Jersey Secretary of State'''<br>
:Telephone: (202)-694-1100<br>
:''Why: This agency provides and processes petitions and paperwork for state and federal offices.''
:Toll-free: 1-800-424-9530<br>
::Physical address: 225 West State Street, 5th Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608<br>
:Email: [mailto:info@fec.gov info@fec.gov]<br>
::Mailing address: P.O. Box 304, Trenton, NJ 08625-0304<br>
:Website: http://www.fec.gov/
::Telephone: 609-292-3760<br>
::Toll-free: 1-877-NJVOTER<br>
::Fax: 609-777-1280<br>
::Email: njelections@sos.state.nj.us<br>
::http://www.state.nj.us/<br>
 
*'''New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission'''<br>
:''Why: This agency provides and processes campaign finance reports.''
::Physical address: 28 West State Street, 13th Floor, Trenton, New Jersey 08608-1602<br>
::Mailing address: P.O. Box 185P.O. Box 185, Trenton, NJ 08625-0185<br>
::Telephone: 609-292-8700<br>
::Fax: 609-777-1448<br>
::http://www.elec.state.nj.us/


==Recent news==
==Recent news==

Latest revision as of 19:25, 25 November 2025

Public Policy Logo-one line.pngin New Jersey

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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
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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 New Jersey, compares contribution limits to gubernatorial and state legislative candidates in New Jerseywith those from other states, and details the candidate reporting requirements in New Jersey.

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]

As of August 2025:
  • Individuals could contribute $5,800 per election to gubernatorial candidates, $5,500 per election to other statewide candidates, $5,500 per election to state senate candidates, and $5,500 per election to state house candidates.
  • State parties could contribute unlimitedly to candidates for New Jersey state office.
  • Political committees could contribute $17,300 per election to candidates for New Jersey state office.
  • Corporations and union contribution limits to candidates for state office matched individual contribution limits.

    • Background

    Seal of the United States Federal Election Commission

    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 15 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, reNew Jerseyd 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 enforce their own regulation and reporting requirements. Regulations vary by state, as do 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 New Jersey as of August 2025. The uppermost row of the table indicates the contributor, while the leftmost column indicates the recipient.

    New Jersey contribution limits as of August 2025
     IndividualsSingle candidates committeesPolitical committeesLegislative leadership committeePolitical PartySuper PACsCorporationsUnions
    Governor$5,800$17,300$17,300unlimitedunlimited$0$5,800$5,800
    Statewide Candidate$5,500$17,300$17,300unlimitedunlimited$0$5,500$5,500
    Senate candidate$5,500$17,300$17,300unlimitedunlimited$0$5,500$5,500
    Assembly$5,500$17,300$17,300unlimitedunlimited$0$5,500$5,500
    Political committees$15,200$15,200$15,200unlimitedunlimited$0$15,200$15,200
    Party committees$79,000$79,000$79,000unlimitedunlimited$0$79,000$79,000
    Legislative Leadership Committee$79,000$79,000$79,000unlimitedunlimited$0$79,000$79,000
    Ballot measuresunlimitedunlimitedunlimitedunlimitedunlimited$0unlimitedunlimited
    Limits apply per election.
    Sources: 'New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, "Contribution Limits Chart," accessed August 13, 2025

    State comparisons in the 2024 elections

    See also: State-by-state comparison of campaign finance requirements

    As of the 2024 elections, there were no individual contribution limits on contributions to gubernatorial or state legislative candidates in 12 states. The remaining 38 states, including New Jersey, had varying limits.


    New Jersey

    Individual contribution limits in New Jersey:

    • Governor: $4,900 per election
    • State Senate: $2,600 per election
    • State House: $2,600 per election
    Comparison to other states

    In other states with individual contribution limits:

    • Governor
    • State Senate
      • Minimum: $200 per election (Colorado)
      • Maximum: $15,499.69 per election (Ohio)
    • State House
      • Minimum: $200 per election (Colorado)
      • Maximum: $15,499.69 per election (Ohio)

    Candidate reporting requirements

    Seal of New Jersey

    DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Title 19, Article 44 of the New Jersey Permanent Statutes

    Candidates for all elected public offices in New Jersey must file reports of their campaign financial activity with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Candidates for federal office are not required to file with the commission.

    Each candidate is required to appoint a treasurer (a candidate may serve as his or her own treasurer) and create a campaign depository (a bank account) and file this information with the commission. Candidates must establish a reporting committee, which has the sole name under which a candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, labels its political identification statements, or otherwise does business. It is recommended that the name of the campaign depository should also be the same as the name of the committee. No later than 10 days after establishing a candidate committee, the candidate must file the "Single Candidate Committee Certificate of Organization and Designation of Campaign Treasurer and Depository" with the Commission.[9][10]

    An organizational or campaign treasurer or deputy organizational or campaign treasurer of a candidate committee or joint candidates committee must keep a written record of all funds received as contributions. This must include the following:

    • the name and mailing address of the contributor
    • the amount and date of the contribution
    • if the contributor is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer[11]

    Reporting requirements

    A candidate committee must begin filing reports with the commission on a date that depends upon when the committee's financial activity commences. If a candidate committee is begun within five months or less of the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a 29-day pre-election report as the initial election fund report. If the committee is established more than five months prior to the due date of the 29-day pre-election report, the committee must file a quarterly report as its initial election fund report.[12]

    The forms that a candidate must file depend upon the committee type (single or joint) and the amount of money that will be spent in the election.[13]

    Reporting schedule

    During the period between the appointment of the campaign treasurer and the election, the campaign treasurer must file a cumulative campaign report on three separate dates:

    • the 29th day preceding the election
    • the 11th day preceding the election
    • the 20th day after the election

    Concurrent with the report filed on the 20th day following an election, or at any time thereafter, the treasurer may certify to the commission that the election fund of the committee has settled its business and been dissolved, or that business regarding the election has been settled up but the committee will continue for the deposit and use of contributions.[14]

    Campaign finance legislation

    The table below displays bills related to campaign finance introduced during or carried over to New Jersey's current legislative session.[15]

    Election and campaign ballot measures

    See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of New Jersey ballot measures

    Ballotpedia has tracked 7 statewide ballot measures relating to elections and campaigns.

    1. New Jersey Supreme Court Elections and Tenure Amendment (2014)
    2. New Jersey Election of Comptroller and Elimination of Auditor Amendment (2014)
    3. New Jersey Public Question No. 2 (1974)
    4. New Jersey Public Question No. 1 (1970)
    5. New Jersey Public Question No. 2 (1969)
    6. New Jersey Public Question No. 4 (1963)
    7. New Jersey Public Question No. 1 (1957)


    Contact information

    Election agencies

    Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
    See also: State election agencies

    Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in New Jersey can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

    New Jersey County Election Officials

    Click here for a list

    Secretary of State, Elections Division

    Physical Address: 225 West State Street, 1st Floor
    Trenton, New Jersey 08608
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 304
    Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0304
    Phone: 609-292-3760
    Toll free: 1-877-658-6837
    Fax: 609-777-1280
    Email: nj.elections@sos.nj.gov
    Website: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml

    New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

    Physical Address: 25 S Stockton St, 5th Floor
    Trenton, New Jersey 08608
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 185
    Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0185
    Phone: 609-292-8700

    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 New Jersey finance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Campaign finance requirements in New Jersey - Google News

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Campaign Finance Enforcement," accessed May 28, 2025
    2. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "About the FEC," accessed June 27, 2012
    3. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate Registration Brochure," accessed December 7, 2012
    4. ↑ New York Times, "Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit," January 21, 2010
    5. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Speechnow.org v. FEC," April 7, 2014
    6. ↑ OpenSecrets, "Two Federal Court Rulings Could Change Campaign Finance Landscape," March 26, 2010
    7. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ongoing Litigation," accessed March 18, 2015
    8. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates 2023-2024 Election Cycle," accessed May 8, 2025
    9. ↑ New Jersey Permanent Statutes, "Title 19:44A-11," accessed August 13, 2025
    10. ↑ New Jersey Permanent Statutes, "Title 19:44A-10," accessed August 13, 2025
    11. ↑ New Jersey Permanent Statutes, "Title 19:44A-12," accessed August 13, 2025
    12. ↑ New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, "Compliance Manual for Candidates," accessed August 13, 2025
    13. ↑ New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, "FORMS," accessed August 13, 2025
    14. ↑ New Jersey Permanent Statutes, "Title 19:44A-16," accessed August 13, 2025
    15. ↑ 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.
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