Need a simple explanation of campaign contribution limits

[spooky3]

Duh...I need help. I know that individuals' contributions are limited to $2000 per election cycle, but can anyone explain this further? As many DUers are trying to find ways to help candidates, it would be helpful if someone could spell this out.

For example,
--when did the Presidential election cycle begin, and will it end in November of 2004?
--is it $2000 for all candidates to whom you want to donate? $2000 to all candidates within the same party? $2000 per candidate with no limit on number of candidates? or something else?
--must all donations be disclosed publicly by the candidate, or only those over a certain $ limit (what would that limit be)?

Not that I would ever have enough to contribute to bump into any of these limits, but some DUers might, and it would be good to know just so that there were no inadvertent mistakes.

Thanks!

[Don_G]

1. There Are Enough Loopholes

That anybody can contribute as much as they want to both the Primary and the Election.

In my opinion, the Rethuglicans have delayed their Primary to circa 9/11 and thus have the ability to equally split their three-quarters of a Billion advertising campaign between the Primary and Election in the space of nine weeks plus have the major media outlets "thumpimg" the Bible for Junior.

It's all perfectly legal, but then my cat dosen't ask what's legal, but what's right.

[jmaier]

3. could you illustrate

one such loophole, please?

The limit is $2,000 per individual. Naturally, a family (spouses) could contribute $2,000 each so a high income individual could have his/her spouse contribute some amount in their own name.

[stevebreeze]

6. loophole

My two year old grand daughter can donate $2000. I am sure she is a dem too.

[HFishbine]

11. Actually, that's highly illegal

A minor has to certify that any funds donated to a campaign are her own and that she was not given money to donate to a campaign.

[jmaier]

2. Here's my take

1. The GE cycle begins after the nominating convention and it's most likely that both candidates accept the $75m in federal funds for this final few month push.

2. you can donate $2,000 to each candidate that you support during the primary campaign and you can donate another $2,000 to a candidate during the general election.

3. All donations must be publicly disclosed and no individual donor may donate more than $2,000.

4. the first $250 in total contributions which you donate to a candidate are eligible to be matched by federal funds if your candidate hasn't opted out.

My only caveat would be on point #3. I heard something about contributions from an individual totalling less than $200 aren't individually reported to the FEC but I'm not sure this is true.

[Mairead]

4. Not exactly simple, but....

Up to $2K from each adult until the primaries are over. Up to $2K again from each adult til the general is over. I.e., up to $4K from each adult. Donors must be US citizens or green-carders, and the money must be the donor's own to dispose of as s/he pleases. Everyone who gives $200 or more in toto must disclose their employer. Candidates must disclose the identities of people giving $250 or more (I believe, but I might be wrong on the exact number)

Hope that helps.

[HFishbine]

12. Yes, except

One's $2K for the primary and one's $2k for the general (which begins after a candidate is nominated) can both be given at the same time by seperate checks.

[spooky3]

5. Thanks, everyone, for your help! (eom)

[Lobo_13]

7. There is also something in there about

not being able to contribute if you are receiving money from the federal government.

[spooky3]

10. thanks, Lobo_13.

[Native]

8. I asked the same question of Kerry's Finance Director

Here's the response:

Peter Maroney asked me to contact you. Here are the rules for contributions to presidential campaigns:
each individual may give up to $2000 per campaign- it's not annual. Therefore you could give $2000 and so could your husband. Any children with their own money could also give. Anything your family was able to donate now would be immediately put to work helping John Kerry WIN in Iowa!

Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have more questions.

Kerry Greeley
Deputy National Finance Director
202-548-6800

[spooky3]

9. thank you, and thanks, Peter!