May 20, 2021 •
New Contribution Limits Starting July 1

Gov. Ron DeSantis - by Gage Skidmore
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1890, establishing a contribution limit of $3,000 to PACs sponsoring or opposing constitutional amendments proposed by initiative. The new law also establishes a preemption of contribution limits established by local government entities. The […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1890, establishing a contribution limit of $3,000 to PACs sponsoring or opposing constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.
The new law also establishes a preemption of contribution limits established by local government entities.
The bill is effective July 1.
March 24, 2021 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Increases 2022 Candidate Contribution Limit

Oklahoma Capitol Building
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to increase the individual contribution limit to $2,900 per election for candidate’s whose name appears on the 2022 ballot. This limit increase applies only to candidates registered for the 2022 election. The individual contribution limits […]
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to increase the individual contribution limit to $2,900 per election for candidate’s whose name appears on the 2022 ballot.
This limit increase applies only to candidates registered for the 2022 election. The individual contribution limits for the 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020 candidate committees remain the same.
Other candidates remain under the contribution limits for their specific election. All other PAC or political party committee limits remain the same.
When candidate committees contribute to other candidate committees, contribution limits apply to both the giving and receiving committees.
When the giving and receiving candidate committees were formed for different election years, they are subject to different contribution limits. The lesser contribution limit of the two will be the contribution limit that applies.
February 3, 2021 •
Tennessee Announces Updated Contribution Limits

Tennessee Capitol Building - Ichabod
The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance (BECF) published revised contribution limits for 2021 and 2022. The individual and corporate contribution limit to local and legislative state candidates remains unchanged at $1,600 per election. The limit for statewide candidates […]
The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance (BECF) published revised contribution limits for 2021 and 2022.
The individual and corporate contribution limit to local and legislative state candidates remains unchanged at $1,600 per election.
The limit for statewide candidates increased from $4,200 to $4,300 per election.
PAC limits to local and legislative state candidates increased from $8,100 to $8,300 per election.
PAC limits to statewide candidates increased from $12,300 to $12,700 per election.
BECF adjusts contribution limits in January of each odd-numbered year based on the consumer price index
January 29, 2021 •
San Diego Raises Campaign Contribution Limits

San Diego City and Administration Building - by Business Navigatoren (Diskussion), via Wikimedia Commons
The San Diego Ethics Commission has announced an increase to the limits on contributions made to local candidates. The increase from $600 to $650 comes due to an increase in the consumer price index. This increase is effective from January […]
The San Diego Ethics Commission has announced an increase to the limits on contributions made to local candidates.
The increase from $600 to $650 comes due to an increase in the consumer price index.
This increase is effective from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.
May 4, 2020 •
No Limits on Campaign Contributions in Oregon

Oregon Senate Chamber - photo by Cacophony
Oregon political candidates in legislative and statewide races can continue to accept contributions vastly exceeding the caps voters approved in 2006. Secretary of State Bev Clarno announced on Friday she would not allow the 2006 voter approved initiative. The initiative […]
Oregon political candidates in legislative and statewide races can continue to accept contributions vastly exceeding the caps voters approved in 2006.
Secretary of State Bev Clarno announced on Friday she would not allow the 2006 voter approved initiative.
The initiative placed a $1,000 limit on donations to statewide candidates and a $100 limit on contributions to legislative candidates.
Clarno’s office released a statement communicating Measure 47 from 2006 was not made operative by the Oregon Supreme Court decision.
Therefore, there is no change in current state election laws.
Clarno’s decision was based off of a verbal opinion from the Department of Justice.
Also, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Thomas Ryan ruled Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s campaign did not need to limit spending.
The ruling came after a suit filed by Wheeler’s main opponent questioning his use of contributions.
Portland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone had joined several campaign finance activists in a lawsuit against Wheeler’s campaign.
The lawsuit contends the mayor must repay all the donations he’s received surpassing the $500 campaign finance limit approved by Portland voters in 2018 but never enforced due to legal challenges.
After last week’s Supreme Court ruling, the city auditor’s office will begin enforcing Portland’s campaign finance measure starting today.
However, candidates won’t be retroactively punished for taking large donations.
Portland Attorney Dan Meek said he would ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider its April decision to make it clear Measure 47 should go into effect immediately.
In November, voters will decide on a proposed state constitutional amendment making it clear the state could adopt any limits allowed under the U.S. Constitution.
April 29, 2020 •
Portland Will Start Enforcing Campaign Contribution Limits

In the wake of an Oregon Supreme Court ruling last week overturning long standing precedents declaring campaign contribution limits in Oregon elections unconstitutional, Portland will enforce a voter approved $500 per donor limit starting Monday. The court ruled that contribution […]
In the wake of an Oregon Supreme Court ruling last week overturning long standing precedents declaring campaign contribution limits in Oregon elections unconstitutional, Portland will enforce a voter approved $500 per donor limit starting Monday.
The court ruled that contribution limits do not violate free speech.
However, they asked lower courts to decide if $500 per donor limits, approved first by Multnomah County voters and then by Portland voters, are too low.
Portland city election officials say they’ll begin enforcing the contribution limits after the Oregon Court of Appeals on Tuesday overturned a Multnomah County Circuit judge’s decision declaring campaign contribution limits in city elections unconstitutional.
However, election officials will not retroactively enforce the limits. Candidates who violate the new donation limits will face fines of up to $3,000 per violation.
May 25, 2016 •
New York Governor Seeks to Close Fundraising Loophole
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed eight bills to the state Legislature to close a controversial loophole in campaign finance law permitting limited liability companies (LLCs) to make donations up to $60,800 per statewide candidate, with an aggregate limit of $150,000. […]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed eight bills to the state Legislature to close a controversial loophole in campaign finance law permitting limited liability companies (LLCs) to make donations up to $60,800 per statewide candidate, with an aggregate limit of $150,000.
Each bill offers different levels of control over LLC funding with one seeking to close the loophole for all candidates running for state office, another impacting only gubernatorial and state Legislature candidates, and four separate bills aiming to close the loophole for at least one state office.
All of the bills propose to bring the LLC contribution limit in line with state limits on corporate contributions to candidates and committees, which are currently set at $5,000 annually.
May 19, 2016 •
Ethics Law Changes May Appear on November Ballot in Miami-Dade County
A group of current and past politicians have announced an initiative to strengthen ethics laws in Miami-Dade County. The group, named An Accountable Miami-Dade, is leading the charge to place a measure on the November ballot. The measure would strengthen […]
A group of current and past politicians have announced an initiative to strengthen ethics laws in Miami-Dade County.
The group, named An Accountable Miami-Dade, is leading the charge to place a measure on the November ballot. The measure would strengthen enforcement of existing campaign finance laws, create pay-to-play restrictions on large contractors, create a ban on gifts from lobbyists, and institute a $250 per-election contribution limit to mayoral and commission candidates.
An Accountable Miami-Dade is headed by Monica Russo, president of the SEUI Florida Council, and Bettina Rodriguez, a former mayor of Doral. It also includes several local officeholders and party leaders.
April 24, 2015 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Increases Individual Contribution Limit
At its April meeting, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission increased the maximum individual contribution limit for the 2016 election cycle to $2,700. The increase is the first mandatory increase approved by the commission since its new rules were adopted in 2014; […]
At its April meeting, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission increased the maximum individual contribution limit for the 2016 election cycle to $2,700.
The increase is the first mandatory increase approved by the commission since its new rules were adopted in 2014; the individual contribution limits will be adjusted automatically in conjunction with the consumer price index.
The new limit is currently in effect and will apply to all 2015 special elections.
February 14, 2012 •
Personal PAC Files Suit Challenging Illinois Contribution Limit
Injunction Allowing Unlimited Contributions Sought
Personal PAC, an abortion rights group, has filed a lawsuit seeking to strike down the limit on the amount of money given by donors to PACs.
Presently, the limit is set at $10,000 per election cycle.
Personal PAC is seeking an immediate and permanent injunction which would allow donors to make unlimited contributions to PACs.
September 1, 2010 •
Michigan Campaign Contribution Limits To Remain Unchanged for Now
The state’s current campaign contribution limits will remain intact at least until after this year’s general elections.
A federal judge rejected Republican strategist Greg McNeilly’s request for an injunction on the limits, which have remained unchanged since 1976.
McNeilly argued the limits have not kept pace with inflation and constitute an infringement on his First Amendment rights. In Michigan, individuals can donate $500 to a candidate for state House, and $1,000 to a Senate candidate.
The lawsuit seeking to strike down these campaign contribution limits will be heard, but not before the November 2 election.
This post is a follow-up to a previous article on Michigan campaign finance from July 7 – “Michigan Campaign Contribution Limits Challenged,” by Steve Quinn.
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