Corporate Campaign Contribution Rules: What You Need to Know by State

Corporations looking to make campaign contributions from corporate funds must navigate a layered compliance process. The rules vary significantly by state, covering whether contributions are permitted at all, whether registration is required, and what reporting obligations apply. Here is a step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1: Determine Whether Corporate Contributions Are Permitted

Not all states allow corporations to give campaign contributions. Before committing funds, confirm whether the relevant jurisdiction permits corporate giving.

• Prohibited states: Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania prohibit corporations from making contributions to candidates.
• Limited giving: In Kentucky, corporations may only contribute to political issue committees and independent expenditure-only committees.
• Broad permissibility: States like Delaware and Virginia allow corporations to contribute to most candidates and committees.
• Capped giving: In New York, corporations may give up to $5,000 per calendar year to candidates and committees.

Step 2: Determine Whether Registration Is Required

Many states do not require corporations to register simply to make contributions. However, some states do trigger registration requirements based on spending thresholds.

South Carolina: A corporation that receives contributions, makes expenditures, or makes independent expenditures exceeding $500 in the aggregate during an election cycle to influence the outcome of an elective office is considered a committee and must register with the state.

Virginia: Any corporation that anticipates receiving contributions or spending more than $200 to influence the outcome of any nonfederal election must register as a political committee with the state Board of Elections. Corporations that contribute directly from operating funds are generally not required to register unless they make an independent expenditure benefiting a nonfederal Virginia candidate or political committee.

For corporations operating across multiple jurisdictions, tracking these thresholds is essential. State and Federal Communications’ corporate contribution compliance resources can help organizations stay current on registration obligations.

Step 3: Determine Whether Reporting Is Required

Even where contributions are permitted, and registration is not required, reporting obligations may still apply.

Washington: Contributions made from general corporate funds to candidates and political committees are not required to be reported annually. However, reporting is triggered when a corporation meets all three of the following conditions during the preceding calendar year:

• Contributes more than $24,000 in the aggregate to legislative or state office candidates and statewide ballot committees
• Makes independent expenditures totaling more than $1,200 for political advertising supporting or opposing one or more legislative or state office candidates and statewide ballot measures
• Employs a registered lobbyist

California: Corporations that qualify as a recipient committee, major donor committee, or independent expenditure committee must file disclosure reports with the state.

Check the Rules Before You Give

Campaign contribution laws differ substantially from state to state, and noncompliance can carry serious consequences. It is always best practice to review the applicable laws in each jurisdiction before making any contribution.

State and Federal Communications maintains resources on contribution law and compliance consulting services to help corporations navigate these requirements with confidence. Jurisdiction-specific guidance is also available through the firm’s online compliance guidebooks.

FAQ Section

Gov. Henry McMaster called a special election in state House District 98 following the resignation of Rep. Chris Murphy. The special primary election will be held on November 4, with a special primary runoff election on November 18, if necessary. The special general election will be held on January 6, 2026.

South Carolina has called for special elections in House District 88 and Senate District 12. This announcement follows the resignations of Rep. RJ May due to federal allegations and Sen. Roger Nutt due to health reasons. A special election is also expected in House District 21 as Rep. Bobby Cox is expected to resign and run for the Senate District 12 seat. The special primary elections will be held on October 21 with a runoff election held on November 4, if necessary. The special general election will be held December 23.

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The South Carolina Legislature adjourned sine die on May 8. This was the first year of the two-year legislative session and only 81 bills were sent to the governor. Any bills still alive will be carried over to the 2026 session. Carried over bills include a lobbying bill requiring additional reporting and a bill that would increase the campaign contribution limits for non-statewide offices from $1,000 to $3,500.

The South Carolina Ethics Commission announced the adjusted spending limits for lobbyist principals on February 3. The limits increased from $70 per day and $560 per calendar year to $75 per day and $600 per calendar year. The limits are retroactively effective January 1. No lobbyist principal or person acting on behalf of a lobbyist principal may provide to a public official or a public employee the value of lodging, transportation, entertainment, food meals, or beverages exceeding the spending limits per public official or public employee.

Rep. Will Wheeler announced his resignation three days into the new legislative session. Wheeler is a Democrat who represented District 50 and cited his reason for leaving was to take a new path in his life for the sake of his health and his family. His resignation was effective January 17 and a special election is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Lawmakers adjourned sine die on Thursday May 9.

Passed bills include compensation for college sports athletes which, if signed by the governor, allows colleges to directly support college athletes while they play for the school’s team.

Any bill left alive will have another chance during the 2025 session when all 170 seats of the Legislature will be up for reelection.

South Carolina will hold a special election in State House District 109 following the resignation of Sen. Deon Tedder, who won a special election for the Senate District 42 seat on November 7.

The April 2, 2024 election will be preceded by the primary on January 30 and a primary runoff on February 13, if necessary.

Democrat Deon Tedder has secured Senate District 42 in South Carolina with an overwhelming majority of 82% of the vote.

He defeated his opponent Rosa Kay (R).

Tedder managed to win the seat after a very narrow primary against Wendell Gilliard (D).

The primary went into a runoff with Tedder securing the win by 11 votes.

Now Tedder aims to tackle criminal justice reform, public education, and housing.

A special election has been called for Senate District 19 following the death of Sen. John Scott on August 13.

The primary will be on October 24 with a primary runoff occurring on November 7, if necessary.

The special general election will be held on January 2, 2024, just a week before the legislative session is set to begin.

 

A special election will take place on November 7, 2023 for Senate District 42.

Senator Marlon Kimpson previously held the seat but resigned upon being tapped to join the Biden administration.

Sen. Kimpson was appointed to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

If necessary, a special primary election will be held on September 5 and the special election primary runoff on September 19.

This does affect reporting, and the next report will be due on October 23, 2023.

The South Carolina Legislature adjourned on Thursday, May 12.

Passed bills included early voting procedures and expanded access to birth control.

The Legislature will meet again in a special session scheduled to be held June 15 focusing on the state budget and any bills vetoed by the governor.

Rep. Mandy Kimmons has resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives.

In a letter to House Speaker James Lucas and posted on social media, Kimmons cited a desire to focus on her legal career and service to her local community as reasons for the sudden resignation.

A special election will be scheduled to fill the 97th District seat for the remainder of the term.

This, along with the recent passing of Sen. Hugh Leatherman and the suspension of Rep. Rick Martin due to a recent criminal indictment, means the South Carolina Legislature will convene the 2022 legislative session on January 11, 2022 with three empty seats.

The South Carolina Legislature is set to convene a special session in early December to address redistricting.

The House will convene on December 1, while the Senate is set to convene on December 6.