Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about campaign compliance. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult official sources and consider getting legal advice for your specific situation.
Why compliance matters
Campaign finance laws exist to ensure fair elections. Breaking them—even accidentally—can result in:
- Fines
- Campaign disqualification
- Personal liability
- Reputational damage
- Criminal charges (in serious cases)
Getting compliance right isn’t optional. It’s fundamental to running a legitimate campaign.
Key compliance areas
Contribution limits
Most jurisdictions limit how much individuals can give to campaigns. Common rules include:
- Individual caps — Maximum amount per person, per campaign or per year
- Source restrictions — Who can give (citizens, residents, corporations, unions)
- Aggregate limits — Total contributions across multiple campaigns
Know your limits before you start fundraising.
Disclosure requirements
Transparency is fundamental to campaign finance. You’ll typically need to:
- Record every contribution — Who gave, how much, when
- Collect required information — Name, address, employer in some cases
- Publicly disclose — Contributions over a threshold (often $200)
- Report regularly — During and after campaigns
Spending limits
Many jurisdictions cap campaign spending during election periods. Track:
- Direct campaign expenses — Advertising, events, materials
- In-kind contributions — Goods and services donated
- Third-party coordination — Spending by allied groups
Receipt requirements
Issue receipts for every contribution that include:
- Amount and date
- Campaign name and registration number
- Contributor name
- Any other jurisdiction-specific requirements
By jurisdiction
Rules vary significantly by location. Key variables include:
- Contribution limits — From a few hundred to several thousand dollars
- Who can give — Some jurisdictions ban corporate/union giving
- Spending caps — Some have strict limits, others have none
- Reporting deadlines — Miss them and face penalties
Research the specific rules for your race before accepting any contributions.
Third-party rules
If you’re not a candidate or party but spending money to influence elections, you may be a “third party” subject to separate rules.
What counts?
Spending money to support or oppose:
- A party or candidate
- A position on an election issue
Requirements
Third parties often must:
- Register with election authorities
- Track and disclose spending
- Stay within spending limits
- Identify themselves in advertising
Community organizations
Charitable status
Registered charities cannot engage in partisan political activity. They can do limited advocacy, but not support or oppose specific candidates or parties.
Other nonprofits
Non-charitable nonprofits have more flexibility but should understand any applicable third-party rules.
Common mistakes
Not tracking from day one
Start tracking contributions before your first dollar comes in. Reconstructing records later is painful and error-prone.
Assuming rules are the same everywhere
Every jurisdiction is different. Don’t assume what worked in one campaign applies to another.
Missing deadlines
Reporting deadlines are strict. Put them on your calendar. File early when possible.
Ignoring in-kind contributions
Donated goods and services often count as contributions. Track them.
How gov.vote helps
We build compliance features into the platform:
- Contribution limits enforced — Automatic blocking when limits are reached
- Required information collected — Forms capture what you need
- Receipts generated — Automatic receipts meeting regulatory requirements
- Reports ready — Export data in required formats
But ultimately, compliance is your responsibility. Know the rules that apply to you.
Getting help
Official sources
Check the election authority website for your jurisdiction. They publish rules, limits, and deadlines.
Legal advice
For complex situations, consult a lawyer who specializes in campaign finance.