February 12, 2025 •
District Court Permanently Blocks Implementation of Minnesota’s 2023 Foreign Influence

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The U.S. District Court permanently enjoined a statute passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 that prevented entities who had a single foreign investor with a 1% interest or an aggregate of foreign investors holding 5% interest from making any […]
The U.S. District Court permanently enjoined a statute passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 that prevented entities who had a single foreign investor with a 1% interest or an aggregate of foreign investors holding 5% interest from making any independent expenditures or contributions. The court determined in its final ruling in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi the statute violated the First Amendment right to free speech. Specifically, the court acknowledged the state has a compelling interest to prevent foreign influence in its elections but concluded the statute was not narrowly tailored to accomplish that interest.
February 11, 2025 •
Iowa Special Election Scheduled for March 11, 2025

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for March 11, 2025, to fill the Iowa House District 100 vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Martin Graber. Before the special election, the state Democratic and Republican parties will convene for district nominating […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for March 11, 2025, to fill the Iowa House District 100 vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Martin Graber. Before the special election, the state Democratic and Republican parties will convene for district nominating conventions, where delegates will select their party candidates for the seat. The winner of the special election will hold the seat until the end of Graber’s elected term and the seat will be on the general election ballot in 2026.
February 7, 2025 •
Kentucky Publishes Contribution Limit Adjustments

The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance published the new contribution limits effective January 1 on its website. Contribution limits for individuals and PACs increased from $2,100 to $2,200 to candidates per election and to PACs and contributing organizations per year. […]
The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance published the new contribution limits effective January 1 on its website. Contribution limits for individuals and PACs increased from $2,100 to $2,200 to candidates per election and to PACs and contributing organizations per year. The $2,200 contribution limit is not applicable to political issues committees.
February 7, 2025 •
Minnesota Special Election Scheduled for March 11, 2025

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson after a district judge ruled the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) candidate did not meet the residency […]
Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson after a district judge ruled the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) candidate did not meet the residency requirement to serve the district. The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 11. If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 25. The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled a previously scheduled date ruling Gov. Walz scheduled the election too soon. The decision left Republicans with a one-seat advantage in the chamber over the DFL, who were boycotting the session as a result. Wednesday evening DFL and Republican caucus leadership reached an agreement to organize the body. With a quorum for the first time, the House officially began the 2025-26 session Thursday, February 6, after a more than three-week DFL boycott and elected Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth as speaker.
February 5, 2025 •
Illinois 2025 Campaign Contribution Limits Published

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The State Board of Elections published the new contribution limits summary sheet, which increases limits on January 1 of every odd-numbered year to reflect increases in inflation. The amount corporations and labor organizations may contribute in each election cycle increased […]
The State Board of Elections published the new contribution limits summary sheet, which increases limits on January 1 of every odd-numbered year to reflect increases in inflation. The amount corporations and labor organizations may contribute in each election cycle increased from $13,700 to $14,600 to any candidate committee; from $27,400 to $29,100 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $27,400 to $29,100 to any PAC. The amount an individual may contribute in each election cycle increased from $6,900 to $7,300 to any candidate committee; from $13,700 to $14,600 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $13,700 to $14,600 to any PAC. The amount PACs are limited to contributing to any candidate committee, political party committee, legislative caucus committee, or PAC each election cycle increased from $68,500 to $72,800.
January 21, 2025 •
Minnesota Supreme Court Cancels Special Election

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The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled a special election for House District 40B set for January 28. The court agreed with Republicans who claimed Gov. Walz scheduled the election too soon, ruling state law allows the governor to call a special […]
The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled a special election for House District 40B set for January 28. The court agreed with Republicans who claimed Gov. Walz scheduled the election too soon, ruling state law allows the governor to call a special election only after the legislative session begins and a vacancy is clear. Democrat Curtis Johnson won a Roseville-area seat in November but was disqualified by a judge over residency questions and declined to appeal.
The decision left Republicans with a one-seat advantage in the chamber over Democrats, who have been boycotting the session as a result. There is a separate legal dispute before the court over the legitimacy of the session convening without Democrats present. Walz has not yet set a new date for the election but stated it will now likely happen in March.
January 14, 2025 •
Hearing on Lobbyist Gift Disclosures Set for March 18 in Michigan

The Department of State will hold a public hearing on March 18 to receive public comments on proposed changes to the Gifts Under the Lobby Act rules. The proposed changes are intended to codify two interpretive statements issued in 2024 […]
The Department of State will hold a public hearing on March 18 to receive public comments on proposed changes to the Gifts Under the Lobby Act rules. The proposed changes are intended to codify two interpretive statements issued in 2024 addressing a gift loophole allowing officials to offer reimbursement for the difference between the actual gift value and the current limit. The changes are also aimed at providing additional general explanation about the regulation of gifts from lobbyists and their agents to public officials. Comments on the proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by email at Elections-PublicComment@michigan.gov.
January 6, 2025 •
Second Minnesota Special Election Scheduled for January 28, 2025

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Gov. Tim Walz issued the second writ of special election within a week to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60 created by the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic. The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, […]
Gov. Tim Walz issued the second writ of special election within a week to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60 created by the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, along with the special election for House District 40B.
Due to the number of candidates running, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
After the party decided to back one candidate for the vacancy in House District 40B, all other candidates withdrew so there will be no special primary for House District 40B.
December 30, 2024 •
Minnesota Special Election Scheduled for January 28, 2025

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Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson. The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. If necessary, a special […]
Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Johnson won the seat by more than 30% at the Nov. 5 election, but a district judge ruled last Friday the DFL candidate did not meet the residency requirement to serve the district.
December 26, 2024 •
Iowa Special Election Scheduled for January 28, 2025

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for January 28, 2025, to fill the Senate District 35 vacancy caused by the resignation of Sen. Chris Cournoyer. Cournoyer resigned effective December 16 when Gov. Reynolds appointed her lieutenant governor.
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for January 28, 2025, to fill the Senate District 35 vacancy caused by the resignation of Sen. Chris Cournoyer.
Cournoyer resigned effective December 16 when Gov. Reynolds appointed her lieutenant governor.
December 20, 2024 •
Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission Raises Registration Fees for 2025

The Executive Branch Ethics Commission voted to raise the registration fee for Employers and Real Parties in Interest from $500 to $750. This funding increase was authorized by House Bill 8, Section 61, passed during the 2024 regular legislative session […]
The Executive Branch Ethics Commission voted to raise the registration fee for Employers and Real Parties in Interest from $500 to $750.
This funding increase was authorized by House Bill 8, Section 61, passed during the 2024 regular legislative session for a new online filing system.
The executive agency lobbyist registration fee is paid with the updated registration statement due July 31 of each year and covers the July 1 to June 30 reporting period or through termination if occurring before June 30.
The updated registration statement forms have been updated to reflect this change.
December 20, 2024 •
Ohio General Assembly Session Continues After Marathon Session

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The 135th General Assembly adjourned on December 18, until Monday December 23, 2024, after a marathon session lasting two days. With not many days left in this legislative session, lawmakers have likely completed most of their work. One bill affecting […]
The 135th General Assembly adjourned on December 18, until Monday December 23, 2024, after a marathon session lasting two days.
With not many days left in this legislative session, lawmakers have likely completed most of their work.
One bill affecting campaign finance was passed during the special session in May and June of this year.
Special Session Amended Substitute House Bill 0001 prohibits individuals and certain entities from knowingly soliciting or accepting political contributions or expenditures from a foreign national. The lone ethics bill intended to enact the Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act, changing the ethics laws for public officials and employees and reporting requirements for lobbyists, never made it out of committee.
The 136th General Assembly will convene on January 6, 2025.
December 17, 2024 •
Michigan Lobby Registration Act 2025 Reporting Thresholds Published

The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2025 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit. The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures […]
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2025 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit.
The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures on a single official increased from $775 to $800.
Exempt expenditures remain unchanged for 2025 at $16.
The registration threshold for an employer making lobbying expenditures increased from $3,075 to $3175 for any 12-month period.
The financial transaction threshold between a registered employer or lobbyist and a public official increased from $1,550 to $1,600.
The reporting threshold for travel and lodging reimbursements increased from $1,000 to $1,025. The monthly food and beverage expenditures allowance for a public official increased from $76 to $79, and the threshold for food and beverages purchased between January 1 and the end the reporting period remains unchanged for 2025 at $475.
Employee reimbursements increased from $31 to $32, and the general gift threshold also increased from $76 to $79.
Late filing fees increased from $31 a day up to a maximum of $930, to $32 a day up to a maximum of $960.
November 6, 2024 •
North Dakota Republican Kelly Armstrong Wins Election for Governor

North Dakota’s lone congressman, Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, easily won election as North Dakota’s next governor, continuing the GOP’s three-decade grip on the highest job in the conservative state. Armstrong beat Democratic state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn and independent candidate […]
North Dakota’s lone congressman, Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, easily won election as North Dakota’s next governor, continuing the GOP’s three-decade grip on the highest job in the conservative state.
Armstrong beat Democratic state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn and independent candidate Michael Coachman for the post by receiving 68.3% of the vote.
Armstrong will be sworn in on Dec. 15, weeks before the biennial Legislature convenes with an expected Republican supermajority in Bismarck.
He will succeed outgoing GOP Gov. Doug Burgum, who did not seek a third term.
Republicans have held the governor’s office since 1992.
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