Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the contribution limit for North Carolina candidates and political committees is $6,800. No individual or political committee may contribute more than $6,800 to a candidate committee or political committee in any election*. We cannot accept corporate donations.
According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), an "election" is defined as: "the event in which voters cast votes in ballot items concerning proposals or candidates for office in this State or the United States." This definition encompasses various types of elections, including:
- Primaries: Elections held to select candidates for a subsequent general election.
- General Elections: The regular elections are held to choose officeholders.
The contribution limits are for an election cycle. The election cycle is based on the office the candidate is running for.
An election cycle for a candidate committee is the period from January 1 after an election for a particular office until December 31 after the election for the next term of the same office.
Different offices have different terms:
- Council of State offices are 4 year terms.
- NC Senate and NC House offices are 2 year terms.
- Terms for judicial offices range from 4 to 8 years.
- Terms for municipal and county offices range from 2 to 4 years.
For example, the election cycle for a candidate running for the NC House (2 years) in 2026 would be from January 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026.
