Why are there campaign contribution limits

This number was only attained by reaching out to a variety of sources, such as state political parties, corporations, unions, political action committees, and individuals. To help ensure that these groups have no corruptive influence on election and campaigns, many states impose contribution limits on candidates, dictating how much any one entity can give a campaign. This page provides an overview of the types of restrictions states place on contribution limits, and gives examples of certain statutory restrictions.

For information on other types of campaign finance restrictions, please visit our pages on disclosure and public financing of elections.

The other 39 states restrict the amount of money that any one individual can contribute to a state campaign. These limits are typically dependent upon the office the candidate seeks.

Using data from the election cycle, this chart shows the wide range of contribution limits across states:. Federal Election Commission , S. Anyone involved in campaign or fundraising activities should examine the rules regarding these contributions. The limitations of this statute do not apply to loans of money by a financial institution as defined in T. There are also limits on the aggregate contributions allowed by political parties. Contribution limits are adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index all items-city average , as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the period of January 1, , through December 31, The Registry of Election Finance publishes each such adjusted amount on its Web site.

Independent expenditures provide another way to support candidates. An independent expenditure is money spent for a communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and which is not made with the cooperation or with the prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request of, or suggestion of, a candidate or any agent or authorized committee of the candidate. Independent expenditures are not considered contributions and are unlimited.

You may spend any amount on each communication, as long as the expenditure is truly independent. You may, for example, pay for an advertisement in a newspaper or on the radio urging the public to vote for the candidate you want elected.

Or, you may produce and distribute posters or yard signs telling people not to vote for a candidate you oppose. Political campaign committees are required to maintain records and file campaign reports on the committee's activities with the Registry of Election Finance or a County Election Commission. Three types of political campaign committees exist in Tennessee:. If you are interested in forming a group to participate in State or Local elections and you need more information you may contact the Registry of Election Finance State Elections or your County Election Commission Local Elections.

More detailed information on each of the political campaign committees described above is also available at the Registry's website, www. The campaign finance law requires many participants in the election process to submit campaign finance reports detailing their financial activity. These reports are then made available to the public. Political campaign committees must file detailed reports on the money they raise and spend. As an individual, you are not required to file campaign finance reports.

However, as an individual contributor, you may be asked to provide information to the recipient committee for its reports. As a voter, you may be interested in learning how a particular candidate finances his or her campaign.

Who is contributing? How much? Is the candidate using personal funds to finance the campaign? Does the committee have debts? Or you may want to know which candidates a party committee or PAC is supporting, and how much the committee is giving. This information is available to the public in the campaign finance reports regularly filed with the Registry and County Election Commissions. You may view basic instructions on how to retrieve the information you are looking for by clicking the link "Search Instructions" at the bottom of the page.

This is the date used by the campaign for reporting purposes, but it also affects the application of the net debts outstanding rule. In-kind contributions The date of receipt for an in-kind contribution is the date the goods or services are provided to the committee, even if the contributor pays the bill for the goods or services after they are provided.

AO Attribution of contribution to proper election cycle. AO Contributions earmarked for potential candidates. AO Limits, prohibitions and reporting requirements apply to recount activities. AO Reporting in-kind contribution of office space. AO In-kind contributions designated for more than one election.

AO Operating a political committee in cyberspace. AO Utah convention as separate election. AO Extension of time for redesignations of general election contributions to primary loser. AO Pre-election reporting requirement for unopposed candidate. AO State party convention not election; general election contribution received and spent before primary. This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Contribution limits for federal elections How limits work Designated and undesignated contributions Date made v. Print the contribution limits chart. Access archived contribution limit charts for past election cycles. How limits work The limits on contributions to candidates apply separately to each federal election in which the candidate participates.

Party caucus or convention A party caucus or convention constitutes an election only if it has the authority under relevant state law to select a nominee for federal office. Candidates who lose in the primary A candidate is entitled to an election limit only if he or she seeks office in that election. Primary vs. Independent and non-major party candidates Even when independent and non-major party candidates are not involved in an actual primary, they are entitled to a primary limit.

The last day on which, under state law, a candidate may qualify for a position on the general election ballot; or The date of the last major primary election, caucus or convention in that state.

Non-major party candidates may also choose the date of the nomination by their party as their primary date.