Political Contribution Limits: How Much Can I Give to Campaigns in My State?

Campaign contribution limits regulate who can give money to political campaigns and how much they can donate, while other campaign finance rules regulate how campaign funds may be used. Federal elections follow one set of contribution caps, but state elections often follow entirely different rules. In some states, individuals can contribute only a few hundred dollars to a candidate. In others, there may be no contribution limits at all.

For legal guidance involving campaign finance compliance, political donations, or election law disputes, use the Super Lawyers election law attorney directory to find an attorney near you.

What Are Political Contribution Limits?

Part of the American political system involves political candidates campaigning for voters’ support. They advocate for themselves by discussing their position on political issues. To support candidates, political parties often provide financial support to their campaigns. Additionally, private individuals, companies, and organizations will contribute to campaigns.

Campaign finance laws were enacted to prevent corruption, increase political transparency, and limit undue influence. These laws require reporting of contribution amounts and sources. They also regulate contribution caps. Federal and state agencies enforce these laws to ensure compliance and increase public confidence in elections.

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA/McCain-Feingold) establish the legal framework for regulating political campaign financing. Several court decisions have also further shaped political financing laws.

Federal Contribution Limits for the 2025-2026 Election Cycle

Contribution limits for the 2025-2026 election cycle depend on the type of election. Individuals may contribute up to $3,500 per election to a federal candidate. The limit applies independently to primary and general elections, for a total of $7,000. Individuals may contribute up to $44,300 per calendar year to a national party committee.

Individuals may contribute up to $10,000 per calendar year to a state, district, or local party committee, and may contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year to a PAC. For PACs that qualify as multi-candidate committees, the limits are $5,000 per election for federal candidates, $15,000 per calendar year for national party committees, and $5,000 per calendar year for other PACs.

Direct Campaign Contributions vs. Independent Expenditures

Not all political spending is treated equally under campaign finance law. A contribution made directly to a candidate is subject to one set of rules. Spending that occurs independently of a campaign is governed by a different set of rules.

Campaign Contributions

Direct contributions include money and other valuable support provided to candidates, campaigns, and certain political committees. Contributions may consist of:

• Monetary donations
• In-kind goods or services
• Fundraising assistance
• Other resources that benefit a campaign

Because these contributions directly support candidates, federal and state laws typically impose contribution limits. Regulators also scrutinize coordination between donors and campaigns.

When individuals or PACs coordinate political spending with a candidate, it may be treated as a contribution and subject to contribution caps. However, under the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2026 ruling in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, political parties are exempt from these limits and may make unlimited expenditures in coordination with candidates.

Independent Expenditures

An independent expenditure occurs when an individual or organization spends money to influence an election without coordinating with a candidate or campaign.

Independent expenditures frequently take the form of:

• Political advertisements
• Mailers
• Social media and digital campaigns
• Issue advocacy communications

Independent expenditure committees carry out many of these activities and may spend money supporting Republican or Democratic candidates, or particular political issues. Because the expenditures are legally independent, the same contribution limits usually do not apply to direct donations made through campaigns or other political committees.

What Is a PAC?

A PAC is a political action committee. These are political committees that organize and pool political contributions to support or oppose candidates or other political activities, subject to applicable reporting and tax rules. A PAC’s purpose can be to support or oppose a particular political campaign, support ballot initiatives, or promote proposed legislation. Traditional PACs may contribute directly to a candidate committee.

PACs fall into three main types. A connected PAC is associated with a trade association, union, or corporation. They can only seek donations from affiliated individuals of the sponsoring organization (such as employees or members). This is different from a non-connected PAC that can solicit contributions from anyone. Advocacy groups typically found this type of PAC.

What Is a Super PAC?

A Super PAC, short for “independent expenditure-only committee,” is a political organization that can raise and spend money to influence elections. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs cannot contribute money directly to candidates or political parties. They also cannot coordinate their activities with a candidate’s campaign.

What makes Super PACs unique is their ability to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political activities, such as television advertisements, digital campaigns, and voter outreach efforts.

State Campaign Contribution Limits

Each state establishes its own campaign finance laws for state and local elections. These rules can vary significantly for:

• Individual donor caps
• Corporate contributions
• Union contributions
• PAC limits
• Reporting requirements

While some states allow limited contributions with strict caps, others allow unlimited contributions. Colorado, Montana, and Connecticut are among the states with low contribution caps. Oregon, Virginia, and Utah are among the states with minimal or unlimited contribution limits. New York has statutory contribution limits.

Some states, like South Carolina, have flexible contribution limits that vary by election type. The District of Columbia follows its own local campaign finance system, separate from both state and federal election rules.

Political Campaign Spending Limits by State

State	Individual Spending Cap for Statewide Candidates	PAC Spending Cap for Statewide Candidates	State Law
Alabama	Unlimited	Unlimited	Ala. Code § 17-5-1
Alaska	Unlimited	$1,000	Alaska Stat. § 15.13.070
Arizona	$5,500	$5,500 (mega PAC: $12,500)	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-912
Arkansas	$3,500	$3,500	Ark. Code § 7-6-203
California	$39,200	$39,200	Cal. Gov. Code § 85301
Colorado	$725	$725 (small donor: $7,825)	Colo. Code Regs. § 1505-6
Connecticut	$3,500	$5,000	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-611
Delaware	$1,200	$1,200	Del. Code Tit. 15 § 8507
Florida	$3,000	$3,000	Fla. Stat. § 106.08
Georgia	$8,400	$8,400	Ga. Code § 21-5-41
Hawaii	$6,000	$6,000	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-357
Idaho	$5,000	$5,000	Idaho Code § 67-6610A
Illinois	$7,300	$7,300	10 ILCS 5/9-8.5
Indiana	Unlimited	Unlimited	Ind. Code § 3-9-4-1
Iowa	Unlimited	Unlimited	Iowa Code § 68A.101
Kansas	$4,000	$4,000	Kan. Stat. § 25-4153
Kentucky	$2,200	$2,200	Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.150
Louisiana	$12,000	$24,000 (big PAC: $24,000)	La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1505.2
Maine	$2,075	$2,075	Me. Stat. Tit. 21A, § 1015
Maryland	$6,000	$6, 000	Md. Code Elec. Law § 13-226
Massachusetts	$1,000	$500	Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 55 § 7A
Michigan	$8,325	$8,325 (independent committees: $83,250)	Mich. Comp. Laws § 169.252
Minnesota	$4,000	$4,000	Minn. Stat. § 10A.27
Mississippi	Unlimited	Unlimited	Miss. Code § 23-15-801
Missouri	$2,825	$2,825	Mo. Const. Art. VIII § 23
Montana	$1,129/ $790	$1,129/ $790	Mont. Code § 13-37-216
Nebraska	Unlimited	Unlimited	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 49-1401
Nevada	$5,000	$5,000	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 294A.100
New Hampshire	$15,000	$15,000	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 664:4
New Jersey	$5,800.00	$17,300	N.J. Stat. § 19:44A-11.3
New Mexico	$12,400	$12,400	N.M. Stat. § 1-19-34.7
New York	$9,000	$9,000	N.Y. Elec. Law § 14-114
North Carolina	$6,800	$6,800	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-278.13
North Dakota	Unlimited	Unlimited	N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-08.1-01
Ohio	$16,615.67	$16,615.67	Ohio Rev. Code § 3517.102
Oklahoma	$3,500	$5,000	Okla. Stat. Tit. 74, Ch. 62
Oregon	Unlimited	Unlimited	Or. Rev. Stat. § 260.005
Pennsylvania	Unlimited	Unlimited	25 Pa. Stat. § 3241
Rhode Island	$2,000	$2,000	R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-25-10.1
South Carolina	$3,500	$3,500	S.C. Code § 8-13-1314
South Dakota	$4,000	$4,000	S.D. Codified Laws § 12-27-7
Tennessee	$5,300	$15,400	Tenn. Code § 2-10-302
Texas	Unlimited	Unlimited	Tex. Elec. Code § 253.037
Utah	Unlimited	Unlimited	Utah Code § 20A-11-101
Vermont	$4,480	$4,480	17 V.S.A. § 2941
Virginia	Unlimited	Unlimited	Va. Code § 24.2-945
Washington	$2,400	$2,400	Wash. Rev. Code § 42.17A.405
Washington, D.C.	$2,000	$2,000	D.C. Code § 1-1163.33
West Virginia	$2,800	$2,800	W. Va. Code § 3-8-12
Wisconsin	$20,000	$86,000 to $18,000	Wis. Stat. § 11.1101
Wyoming	$2,500	Unlimited	Wyo. Stat. § 22-25-102

Are Corporate and Union Contributions Allowed?

Whether a company or union can make political contributions depends on who is making the contribution, who is receiving it, and whether the election is federal, state, or local.

Federal law generally prohibits corporations from making direct contributions to candidates for federal office. A corporation cannot write a check directly to a congressional or presidential campaign. However, corporations may establish PACs that can raise and contribute funds within applicable legal limits.

State laws vary considerably. Some states prohibit corporate contributions to candidates, while others permit them under certain circumstances or impose contribution limits.

Labor Union Contributions

Federal law also prohibits labor unions from making direct contributions to federal candidates. Like corporations, unions may establish PACs to solicit contributions and participate in the political process.

In addition, unions may engage in independent political spending through PACs and other organizations. As long as those expenditures are not coordinated with a candidate’s campaign, they may be used to support or oppose candidates and political causes.

Penalties for Violating Campaign Finance Laws

Many campaign finance violations occur because individuals or organizations misunderstand complex contribution and reporting rules. Common violations include excessive contributions, straw donor schemes, failure to disclose contributions, and illegal coordination.

Violating campaign contribution limits can result in a variety of penalties. These can include civil penalties, criminal charges, FEC investigations, and state ethics investigations. For politicians and donors, there is also the risk of reputational harm. The accusation or suspicion of a violation can call into question everyone’s integrity and intentions. This can lead to lasting consequences that hinder a political career.

Speak to a Lawyer

An experienced election law attorney can help candidates, donors, PACs, and political organizations navigate contribution limits, disclosure obligations, and campaign finance regulations.

For legal help, use the Super Lawyers election law attorney directory to find an experienced lawyer in your area.