At its last meeting on September 30, 2021, the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission (GGTCFC) unanimously decided to raise the contribution caps applicable to state and local elections in Georgia for the 2022 electoral cycle.
Pursuant to OCGA Section 21-5-41 (k), the GGTCFC is entitled to increase or decrease the statutory maximum contribution limit by $ 100 based on inflation or deflation data according to the consumer price index published by the U.S. Department of Labor. In light of inflationary pressures since the contribution cap was last raised in 2019, the Commission unanimously voted to raise the cap on the maximum political contributions allowed to candidates for elected office in Georgia in primary elections, parliamentary elections and runoff elections.
Effective immediately, nationwide candidates for governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner, labor commissioner, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, school principal, and five state public service commissioners are eligible for up to $ 7,600 per donor raise both the primaries and general elections, plus an additional $ 4,500 per donor for both the primaries and general runoffs.
All other candidates, including those running for election to the General Assembly and those elected in district, township, and other local elections, can now receive $ 3,000 per donor in both the primaries and general elections and raise $ 1,600 per donor in both the primary and general assembly runoff elections.
Previously, the statewide contribution limits were $ 7,000 for the parliamentary and primary elections and $ 4,100 for any required runoff elections. After the adjustment, statewide candidates participating in primaries, primary elections, and general elections – a fairly common occurrence – can now raise up to $ 19,700 from a single donor, an increase of $ 1,600. In comparison, non-state candidates who compete in primaries, primary elections, and general elections can now raise up to $ 7,600 from a single donor, an increase of $ 500.
Both monetary and in-kind contributions are subject to these new limits. Candidates, campaign committees, and political action committees should take careful note of the change and be aware of their obligation not to exceed the applicable limits, regardless of whether they act as donors or recipients.
The GGTCFC vote has no influence on the work of the newly created PACs of the “Steering Committee” in Georgia. These new committees – which can be established by the governor, lieutenant governor, the general election candidates for those statewide offices, and the majority and minority factions of both the State House and the State Senate – can continue to accept unlimited contributions from eligible sources and give unlimited sums for coordinated assistance to Georgia state and region candidates and office holders.
Dentons Georgia public order and political law teams will continue to monitor developments in this area during the 2021 and 2022 election cycles.
