April 10, 2023 •
New Jersey Gov. Murphy Signs Campaign Finance Bill

Gov. Phil Murphy
On April 3, Gov. Murphy signed Senate Bill 2866, the Elections Transparency Act. The act doubles the limit on contributions to candidates; triples contribution limits to state and political parties; and decreases the threshold for reporting contributions from $300 to […]
On April 3, Gov. Murphy signed Senate Bill 2866, the Elections Transparency Act.
The act doubles the limit on contributions to candidates; triples contribution limits to state and political parties; and decreases the threshold for reporting contributions from $300 to $200.
The act also creates additional independent expenditure reporting requirements and eliminates local pay-to-play rules, replacing them with the statewide pay-to-play law.
The Election Law Enforcement Commission’s operations are also affected.
The agency will now have only two years, instead of 10, to investigate violations of campaign finance law and Murphy is permitted to appoint an entirely new slate of commissioners to the Election Law Enforcement Commission without Senate approval in the next 90 days.
The new campaign finance limits and independent expenditure reporting requirements go into effect on June 27, while the provisions affecting state and local pay-to-play law took effect immediately.
April 3, 2023 •
Special Congressional Election Scheduled in Rhode Island

Rhode Island State House
A special election has been scheduled to fill the upcoming vacancy in the state’s 1st Congressional District. The seat will become vacant when Rep. David Cicilline’s resignation takes effect on June 1. A primary election will be held on September […]
A special election has been scheduled to fill the upcoming vacancy in the state’s 1st Congressional District.
The seat will become vacant when Rep. David Cicilline’s resignation takes effect on June 1.
A primary election will be held on September 5, followed by a general election on November 7.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire on January 3, 2025.
March 22, 2023 •
Elections Transparency Act Passes New Jersey Senate

New Jersey Capitol Building
A bill overhauling the state’s campaign finance laws and the composition of its ethics agency is making its way through the New Jersey Legislature. Senate Bill 2866, the Elections Transparency Act, doubles contribution limits to candidates; allows Gov. Murphy to […]
A bill overhauling the state’s campaign finance laws and the composition of its ethics agency is making its way through the New Jersey Legislature.
Senate Bill 2866, the Elections Transparency Act, doubles contribution limits to candidates; allows Gov. Murphy to appoint an entirely new slate of commissioners to the Election Law Enforcement Commission without Senate approval; and requires the reporting of all independent expenditure contributions in excess of $7,500.
The act was introduced last June and passed by the Senate on March 20.
March 21, 2023 •
Special Election Scheduled in Maine

Maine Capitol Building
A special election has been scheduled for June 13 to fill a vacant state representative seat in Maine House District 45. The seat became vacant when Rep. Clinton Collamore resigned last month after being indicted on charges related to violations […]
A special election has been scheduled for June 13 to fill a vacant state representative seat in Maine House District 45.
The seat became vacant when Rep. Clinton Collamore resigned last month after being indicted on charges related to violations of the state’s Clean Election Act.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire at the end of 2024.
March 9, 2023 •
Special Election Scheduled in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Capitol Building
A special election has been scheduled for May 16 to fill a vacant state representative seat in House District 108. The seat became vacant when current state Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver won the January 31 special election for the Senate […]
A special election has been scheduled for May 16 to fill a vacant state representative seat in House District 108.
The seat became vacant when current state Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver won the January 31 special election for the Senate District 27 seat.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire at the end of 2024.
March 8, 2023 •
New York City Passes New Independent Expenditure Disclosure

New York City Hall by Beyond My Ken
City Council passed a city charter amendment requiring individuals and entities making independent expenditures related to municipal ballot questions to file disclosure reports. Local Law No. 22 of 2023 requires individuals and entities making independent expenditures of $5,000 or more […]
City Council passed a city charter amendment requiring individuals and entities making independent expenditures related to municipal ballot questions to file disclosure reports.
Local Law No. 22 of 2023 requires individuals and entities making independent expenditures of $5,000 or more in support or opposition to a municipal ballot proposal or referendum to file independent expenditure disclosure reports.
The new reporting requirement will take effect on January 1, 2024.
February 21, 2023 •
Vermont Raises Contribution Limits

Vermont Capitol Building
The Vermont state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits. Under the revised limits, contributions of up to $1,120 per election cycle may be made to state representative candidates, and contributions of up to $1,680 per election cycle may be made to […]
The Vermont state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits.
Under the revised limits, contributions of up to $1,120 per election cycle may be made to state representative candidates, and contributions of up to $1,680 per election cycle may be made to state senate candidates.
Individuals and PACs may contribute up to $4,480 to statewide candidates and PACs per election cycle.
The adjusted limits represent a 6.4% increase for the entire 2024 election cycle.
February 20, 2023 •
Maine Contribution Limits Increased

Maine Capitol Building
Maine’s Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits. Individuals and PACs may now contribute up to $1,950 per election to gubernatorial candidates, up to $475 per election to legislative candidates, and up to $575 per election for […]
Maine’s Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits.
Individuals and PACs may now contribute up to $1,950 per election to gubernatorial candidates, up to $475 per election to legislative candidates, and up to $575 per election for municipal candidates.
The next adjustment to contribution limits is expected to occur in January 2025
February 15, 2023 •
Meet our Expert – Mariah Dick

Mariah Dick - Manager, Research Services
What are your areas of expertise? I focus on the lobbying, campaign finance, and pay-to-play laws in the northeastern United States. How long have you been with State and Federal Communications? I have been with State and Federal for a […]
What are your areas of expertise?
I focus on the lobbying, campaign finance, and pay-to-play laws in the northeastern United States.
How long have you been with State and Federal Communications?
I have been with State and Federal for a year and a half.
How do you help our clients?
I keep our clients up-to-date on new and changing laws and regulations and provide information on how they can stay compliant in the region.
February 10, 2023 •
Democrats Flip Pennsylvania House

Pennsylvania Capitol Building
Democrats control the state House after winning three special elections yesterday. The single-seat majority represents the first time Democrats have controlled the House in over a decade. Joe McAndrew, Abigail Salisbury, and Matt Gergely won elections in District 32, 34, […]
Democrats control the state House after winning three special elections yesterday.
The single-seat majority represents the first time Democrats have controlled the House in over a decade.
Joe McAndrew, Abigail Salisbury, and Matt Gergely won elections in District 32, 34, and 35 and will serve until the end of 2024.
January 17, 2023 •
Special Elections Scheduled in Connecticut

Connecticut State Capitol - John Phelan
Three special elections have been scheduled for February 28, to fill vacant seats in the state’s Assembly District 6, 100, and 148. The Assembly District 6 seat was vacated by Rep. Edwin Vargas when he resigned to pursue an academic […]
Three special elections have been scheduled for February 28, to fill vacant seats in the state’s Assembly District 6, 100, and 148.
The Assembly District 6 seat was vacated by Rep. Edwin Vargas when he resigned to pursue an academic post.
The Assembly District 148 seat was vacated when Rep. Daniel Fox resigned to accept an anticipated judicial nomination.
The Assembly District 100 seat was vacated when Rep. Quentin Williams was killed in a car crash earlier this month.
The winner of each election on February 28 will serve the remainder of each term, all of which expire at the end of 2024.
December 22, 2022 •
New York General Assembly Convenes in Special Session

NY State Capitol - by formulanone
The New York General Assembly will convene for a one-day special session on December 22 to consider pay raises for lawmakers.
The New York General Assembly will convene for a one-day special session on December 22 to consider pay raises for lawmakers.
December 22, 2022 •
New Hampshire Special Election Scheduled

New Hampshire state flag
A special election has been scheduled to be held on February 21 in New Hampshire. The special election is necessary after the Rochester House race between Republican David Walker and Democrat Rep. Chuck Grassie ended in a tie earlier this […]
A special election has been scheduled to be held on February 21 in New Hampshire.
The special election is necessary after the Rochester House race between Republican David Walker and Democrat Rep. Chuck Grassie ended in a tie earlier this year.
December 16, 2022 •
Pennsylvania Special Elections Scheduled and Challenged

Pennsylvania Capitol Building
As a result of a struggle over who holds a majority in the Pennsylvania state House, lawmakers scheduled special elections on two different dates to fill the same two vacancies. Democratic leadership scheduled special elections to fill vacancies in House […]
As a result of a struggle over who holds a majority in the Pennsylvania state House, lawmakers scheduled special elections on two different dates to fill the same two vacancies.
Democratic leadership scheduled special elections to fill vacancies in House District 34 and 35 for February 7, 2023, while Republican leadership scheduled them for May 16, 2023.
A lawsuit filed by Republican representatives will likely determine when the special elections will be held and which party has the power to schedule them.
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