Contribution Limits

The Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) establishes contribution limits for publicly elected offices in Michigan. This means that candidates running for office are limited in what they are allowed to accept from individuals and groups in an election cycle and these same individuals and groups are limited in what they can contribute to a candidate in an election cycle. (MCL 169.252, 169.252a, 169.269) To understand the contribution limits, we must establish an understanding of elections cycles.

Election Cycles are time frames provided in the MCFA to accumulate contributions and expenditures for reporting purposes and to avoid violating the MCFA by accepting or making an excess contribution. Contribution limits for all offices are based on the election cycle of the office. (MCL 169.205(3))

Determining the Election Cycle for a Campaign

• For a general election, the election cycle begins the day following the last general election in which the office appeared on the ballot and ends on the day of the next general election in which the office appears on the ballot.
• For a special election the election cycle begins the day the special general election is called or the date the office becomes vacant (whichever is earlier) and ends on the day of the special general election.

Contribution limits are adjusted per MCL 169.246, which states “Beginning January 1, 2019 and every 4 years thereafter, the secretary of state shall adjust the dollar value contribution limits provided in sections 52, 52a, and 69(1). The secretary of state shall adjust the limits in sections 52, 52a, and 69(1) by comparing the percentage increase or decrease in the consumer price index for the preceding August by the corresponding consumer price index 4 years earlier. The secretary of state shall multiply that percentage change by the amounts in sections 52, 52a, and 69(1). The secretary of state shall round up each dollar value adjustment made under this subsection to the nearest $25.00. The secretary of state shall announce the adjustments made under this subsection by December 15 of each year.”

The following contribution limits provided reflect the dollar amounts as adjusted for the period starting January 1, 2023.

• State Level Office/Supreme Court Candidate Committees
• Local Level Office Candidate Committees
• Lower Court Judicial Candidate Committees
• Caucus Committees: A person may not contribute more than $48,875.00 in a calendar year to a House or Senate Caucus Committee. The caucus committee also may not accept contributions that exceed this limit.
• Political Committees, Independent Committees, Independent Expenditure Committees, Political Party Committees and Ballot Question Committees may receive unlimited contribution amounts from a legal source.