Contribution limits — CA (2026)
Codified contribution caps and filing thresholds. Federal rows cite 11 CFR §110 and 52 USC §30116. State rows cite each state's campaign-finance statute. Per the no-vendors rule, every dollar amount on this page points at a primary source — click a citation to read the underlying regulation.
Contribution caps
Individual
| Recipient | Cap | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| State legislative candidate | $5,800 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
| Statewide candidate | $11,000 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
| PAC | $9,900 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
| State/local party | $49,000 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
Multicandidate PAC
| Recipient | Cap | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| State legislative candidate | $5,800 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
| Statewide candidate | $11,000 /election | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
| State/local party | no limit | Cal. Gov. Code §85301-85303 (FPPC-indexed every odd year) California: gubernatorial cap = $36,400/election (2025-26 indexed); legislative = $5,800; statewide office (AG, SoS, Treasurer, Controller, etc.) = $11,000. We codify the statewide-non-gov amount here; gubernatorial is a separate row layer that can be added later. |
Filing thresholds
| Trigger | Amount | Action | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electioneering communication | $50,000 (aggregate) | file form | Cal. Gov. Code §82013 (Form 410 once $2,000 received; $100 itemization; FPPC Form 461 for IEs) State electioneering communication filing trigger. |
| Independent expenditure (48-hour notice) | $1,000 (aggregate) | notice 48h | Cal. Gov. Code §82013 (Form 410 once $2,000 received; $100 itemization; FPPC Form 461 for IEs) State independent-expenditure notice trigger. Filing deadline varies by state — see source URL for exact timing. |
| Contribution itemization | $100 (aggregate) | itemize | Cal. Gov. Code §82013 (Form 410 once $2,000 received; $100 itemization; FPPC Form 461 for IEs) Contributions from a single source aggregating over this amount must be itemized (donor name, address, date, amount) on the state campaign-finance report. |
| PAC registration trigger | $2,000 (per calendar year) | register | Cal. Gov. Code §82013 (Form 410 once $2,000 received; $100 itemization; FPPC Form 461 for IEs) |