State Campaign Finance Regulation
Jennie Drage Bowser, NCSL
3 Pillars of Campaign Finance Law
o
Contribution Limits
o
Public Financing
o
Disclosure
Contribution Limits
No limits (4)
Corporate limits only (3)
Corporate prohibited; no other limits (4)
Various limits (39 + D.C.)
Limits on Individual Contributions to Candidates
Per Election Cycle
Governor
Senate
House
National
Average
$8,722
$4,277
$3,764
National
Median
$5,000
$2,000
$2,000
Colorado
$1,100
$400
$400
Highest Limit $60,800 (NY) $23,087
(OH)
$23,087
(OH)
Lowest Limit
$320 (MT)
$872 (AZ)
$320 (MT)
Public Financing of Campaigns
o Tax incentives
o Grants to parties
o Grants to candidates
•Partial grants
•Full grants
Candidate Public Financing
Full public financing (6)
Partial public financing (8)
New York City’s Multiple Match Program
o
Matches up to $175 donated by a city
resident
o
6-to-1 ratio
o
$100 contribution + $600 match = $700
o
Spending limit
o
Participation in a debate is required
New York City’s Multiple Match Program
Contributor
Amount of
Contribution
Match Amount Total Value of
Contribution
NYC Resident
$50
$300
$350
NYC Resident
$175
$1,050
$1,225
NYC Resident
$500
$1,050
$1,550
Calif. Resident
$50
$0
$50
Calif. Resident
$500
$0
$500
PAC
$500
$0
$500
TOTAL
Sunlight State-by-State After CU
Source: Corporate Reform Coalition, 2012
A (17)
B (11)
C (8)
D (1)
F (13)
For More Information
www.ncsl.org/elections
o
Campaign Finance Legislation Database
o
50-state data on contribution limits & public
financing
[email protected]