Consequently, when organizations and individuals choose to support both federal and nonfederal candidates, they may have to determine whether federal or state laws govern a particular election activity. It is not intended to provide an exhaustive discussion of election laws, but to clarify the jurisdictional difference between federal and state election laws.
Citations refer to the Federal Election Campaign Act and Federal Election Commission regulations.
In a recent enforcement case, the Commission reaffirmed that only federal law applied to contributions by foreign nationals in connection with state and local election activity and that Hawaii law could not permit what federal law prohibited. See MUR 2892. Subsidiary of Foreign Corporation and Nonfederal Activity . Many states place additional restrictions on donations to nonfederal candidates and committees. Subsidiary of Foreign Corporation and Political Committee Contributions .