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        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


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        Introduction to campaign finance and elections
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      Understanding ways to support federal candidates

Understanding ways to support federal candidates Many activities that support or oppose candidates for federal office are subject to the federal campaign finance law. This page provides information on the law for citizens who want to support or oppose federal candidates.
 Read next
      Introduction to campaign finance and elections
            
             How to research public records
            
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             Election Day information
 Making contributions
          
            Public communications
          
            Volunteering
          
            Using a computer for political activity
          
            Presidential elections
          
            Filing a complaint
          
            Continue learning
 Making contributions

  
  
    The law limits the sources and amounts of funds used to finance federal elections. Contributions are subject to the limits listed in this chart.Contribution limits for 2023-2024
      
      RecipientCandidate committee 
 PAC† (SSF and nonconnected)
 Party committee: state/district/local
 Party committee: national 
 Additional national party committee accounts‡Donor
 Individual
 $3,300* per election 
 $5,000 per year 
 $10,000 per year (combined) 
 $41,300* per year
 $123,900* per account, per yearCandidate committee 
 $2,000 per election
 $5,000 per year
 Unlimited transfers 
 Unlimited transfersPAC: multicandidate 
 $5,000 per election 
 $5,000 per year
 $5,000 per year (combined) 
 $15,000 per year 
 $45,000 per account, per yearPAC: nonmulticandidate
 $3,300* per election 
 $5,000 per year 
 $10,000 per year (combined) 
 $41,300* per year
 $123,900* per account, per yearParty committee: state/district/local
 $5,000 per election (combined)
 $5,000 per year (combined)
 Unlimited transfers
 Unlimited transfersParty committee: national
 $5,000 per election** 
 $5,000 per year
 Unlimited transfers 
 Unlimited transfers
      
      **Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.*
*†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.*
*‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.*
***Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $57,800 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.*
      
      Print the 2023-2024 contribution limits chart
 Public communications

  
  
    Individuals and groups may support or oppose a candidate by paying for public communications (communications by means of any broadcast, cable or satellite communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mass mailing or telephone bank to the general public, or any other form of general public political advertising). Communications over the internet are not considered "public communications," except for communications placed for a fee on another person’s website, digital device, application or advertising platform. Communications over the internet are discussed in the section "Using a computer for political activity."
      
      Learn more about advertising and disclaimers
      
      Coordinated communicationsWhen an individual or group pays for a communication that is coordinated with a campaign, a candidate, a political party committee, or with an agent of a campaign, candidate, or political party committee, the communication results in an in-kind contribution subject to limitations and prohibitions, and must display a disclaimer notice.
      
      Learn more about coordinated communications
      
      Independent expendituresIndividuals and groups may support or oppose candidates by making independent expenditures. An independent expenditure is an expenditure for a communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and which is not made in coordination with any campaign, candidate, political party committee, or with an agent of any campaign, candidate, or political party committee.Independent expenditures are not subject to any contribution limits, but may be subject to reporting requirements. (The campaign of a candidate benefiting from an independent expenditure has no reporting obligation.) An independent expenditure must display a disclaimer notice.
      
      Learn more about making and reporting independent expenditures
      
      Acting as a groupA group of persons must register as a political committee within 10 days of raising or spending more than $1,000 in contributions or expenditures during a calendar year if the group’s major purpose is federal campaign activity (that is, the nomination or election of federal candidates). Groups that wish to avoid registration and disclosure should make certain that their activities do not exceed this registration threshold.
      
      Learn more about the requirements for political committees
 Volunteering

  
  
    Personal servicesAn individual may help candidates and committees by volunteering personal services. For example, a volunteer may want to take part in a voter drive or offer skills to a political committee. Volunteer services are not considered contributions as long as the volunteer is not paid by anyone. (If services are compensated by someone other than the committee itself, the payment is considered a contribution by that person to the committee.)A volunteer may spend unlimited money for normal living expenses.Home eventsIndividuals may use their homes and personal property for activities benefiting a candidate or political party without making a contribution. For instance, an individual might want to hold a fundraising party or reception in his or her home. Costs for invitations and for food and beverages served at the event are not considered contributions if they remain under certain limits. These expenses on behalf of a candidate are limited to $1,000 per election; expenses on behalf of a political party are limited to $2,000 per year. Any amount spent in excess of the limits is a contribution to the candidate or party committee.
Corporate or union facilitiesIndividuals who are employees, stockholders or members of a corporation or labor union may use the organization's facilities—for example, the phone—in connection with personal volunteer activities, subject to the rules and practices of the organization. The activity, however, cannot prevent an employee from completing normal work, nor can it interfere with the organization's normal activity.If volunteer activity exceeds "incidental use" of the facilities—one hour a week or four hours a month—a volunteer must reimburse the corporation or union the normal rental charge within a commercially reasonable time. If a volunteer uses the organization's equipment to produce campaign materials, reimbursement is required regardless of how much time is spent. Any reimbursement for use of facilities is considered a contribution from the individual to the political committee that benefits.
 Using a computer for political activity

  
  
    An uncompensated individual or group of individuals may engage in internet activities for the purpose of influencing a federal election without restriction.This exemption applies to individuals acting with or without the knowledge or consent of a campaign or a political party committee. Possible internet activities include, but are not limited to:Sending or forwarding emailProviding a hyperlink to a websiteCreating, maintaining or hosting a website and paying a nominal fee for the use of a website.Please note that these exemptions apply regardless of whether the individual owns the computer he or she is using.Using a work computer for online political activityPersonal use of computers and internet access is allowed, subject to the employer’s rules and so long as the individual is not compensated for the activity.Sending personal emails regarding political topics or federal electionsIndividuals may send unlimited emails on any political topic without identifying who they are or whether their messages have been authorized by any party or campaign committee.Posting comments to a blog in connection with a federal electionUncompensated blogging, whether done by individuals or a group of individuals, incorporated or unincorporated, is exempt from regulation, even in those cases where a nominal fee is paid.Paying to place an ad on someone else’s websiteInternet communications placed on another person’s website, digital device, application or advertising platform for a fee are considered "general public political advertising," and are thus "public communications" under the law. As such, these payments may result in contributions or expenditures. Other regulations regarding coordinated communications and disclaimer requirements would also apply. Refer to the previous section on public communications for more information.
 Presidential elections

  
  
    Presidential elections are subject to many of the same funding rules as House and Senate campaigns. For information on how to support a presidential candidate, see the information on this page regarding contributions, public communications and volunteering.
      
      Get information on topics unique to the presidential election process
 Filing a complaint

  
  
    Anyone can submit a complaint if he or she believes a violation of the law has occurred or is about to occur. The requirements for submitting a complaint are set by law.
      
      Complaints process
 Continue learning


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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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