Contribution limits for 2017-2018
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act), certain contribution limits are indexed for inflation every two years, based on the change in the cost of living since 2001, which is the base year for adjusting these limits. The inflation-adjusted limits are:
- The limits on contributions made by persons to candidates (remains at $2,700 per election, per candidate) (52 U.S.C. § 30116(a)(1)(A));
The limits on contributions made by persons to national party committees (increased to $33,900 per calendar year) (52 U.S.C. § 30116(a)(1)(B));
The limit on contributions made by certain political party committees to Senate candidates (increased to $47,400 per campaign) (52 U.S.C. § 30116(h)).
The inflation adjustments to these limits are made only in odd-numbered years. The per-election limits on contributions to candidates are in effect for the two-year election cycle beginning the day after the general election and ending on the date of the next general election (November 9, 2016 - November 6, 2018). All other contribution limits are in effect for the two-calendar-year period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2018.
National party committees may establish accounts to defray certain expenses incurred with respect to presidential nominating conventions, election recounts and other legal proceedings, and headquarters buildings. The contribution limits applicable to these accounts are 300% of the limits on contributions to national party committees, which means that the accounts may accept up to $45,000 per year from multicandidate committees and $101,700 per year from other contributors during the 2017-2018 election cycle. 52 U.S.C. § 30116(a)(1)(B) and (a)(9).
The 2017-2018 contribution limits were published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2017, at 82 Fed. Reg. 10904.
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