Federal campaign finance laws regulate the money spent by various political actors to influence federal elections. The regulations are of different kinds: there are contribution limits on what political actors can receive; source prohibitions on money allowed in federal elections; and public disclosure requirements on the monies that are raised and spent in federal elections. Different actors are subject to different rules.

This section describes the general rules that apply to individuals, candidates, political parties, political committees, unions and corporations, and section 527 groups.

(Click here to view 2-page summary of Federal Contribution and Spending Limits chart. For printing, use legal size paper.)