Board of Elections New York State

Giving and Receiving Limits

The NYS Election Law establishes certain limits on contributions that can be given and received by candidates and political committees, as well as limits on contributions that can be given by individuals and other entities. Contribution limits were established to, among other things, curtail the amount of influence, through money, that a contributor can have on elections and the election process.

What is a Contributor?

A contributor may be an individual, a corporation, another candidate's political committee, an unincorporated union or trade organization, a PAC or any other entity such as a League or association, etc.

A limited liability company is treated as an individual. Sole proprietors' contributions are from the owner and must be listed as such. Partnership contributions are contributions from the partners individually, but they are not listed individually until the partnership contribution exceeds $2500. Then complete Schedule O. With no other information available, checks drawn on a joint account are assumed given by the signatory.

The funds of a candidate and the spouse of the candidate spent on the campaign are not contributions and are not limited. They must be reported, however.

The New York State Election Law places aggregate calendar year limits on the amount of political contributions that can be made by individuals and corporations to New York State candidates and committees, as follows:

• An individual may contribute up to a total of $150, 000.00 in a calendar year.
• A corporation may contribute up to a total of $5, 000.00 in a calendar year.
• Each affiliated or subsidiary corporation, if a separate legal entity, has its own limit.