iThe Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for the 2017-2018 election cycle. The new limits are effective January 1, 2017.
The FEC did not change the limit on the amount an individual can contribution to a candidate, leaving the limit at $2700 per election. Because the primary and general count as separate elections, individuals may give $5,400 per candidate per cycle.
The limit on contributions from individuals to national party committees has increased from $33,400 to $33,900. This increase also affects the limit on contributions to additional specialized accounts of the party committees, which were first allowed through legislation passed at the beginning of the last election cycle. Each of these accounts can receive contributions that are triple the amount that can be given to the main party account, or $101,700 per account per year. These accounts can be used to pay for expenses related to presidential nominating conventions, headquarters buildings of the party, and election recounts, contests, and other legal proceedings.
The following chart shows more details on the limits for individuals in 2017 and 2018:
|
An individual may contribute to … |
||
|
Federal Candidates |
$2,700 |
per election |
|
National party committees — main account |
$33,900 |
per year |
|
National party committees — convention account (RNC and DNC only) |
$101,700 |
per year |
|
National party committees — party building account |
$101,700 |
per year |
|
National party committees — legal fund account |
$101,700 |
per year |
|
State or local party committees’ federal accounts |
$10,000 |
per year |
|
Federal PACs |
$5,000 |
per year |
