FAQS about philadelphia's Campaign Finance law
Who is limited in the amount of money they may contribute to a candidate for office in Philadelphia?
Everyone. This includes individuals, businesses, and political committees.
What is a political committee?
Political committees include political action committees (PACs), political parties, and campaign committees for candidates.
What kinds of businesses fall under these limitations?
Every kind of business. This includes partnerships, corporations, sole proprietorships or other forms of business organizations.
What is the limit on contributions made by individuals?
From 2008 to 2012, no more than $2600.
What is the limit on contributions made by businesses?
From 2008 to 2012, no more than $10,600.
What is the limit on contributions made by political committees?
From 2008 to 2012, no more than $10,600.
Which candidates for Philadelphia City government are subject to these campaign contribution limitations?
The limits apply in all elections—primary, general, and special. All elected offices in the City government are subject to the limits—Mayor, Members of City Council, District Attorney, City Controller, Sheriff, Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions, City Commissioners, and Register of Wills.
What counts as a contribution?
A contribution can take many forms—it may be money, gifts, forgiveness of debts, loans, or other things of monetary value received by a candidate or his/her agent for use in the election.
When is someone officially a candidate for the purpose of these laws?
Someone becomes a candidate when he or she publicly declares his or her candidacy, or files nomination petitions or papers to run for one of the offices listed above.
Are there limitations on contributions to a person before they become an official candidate?
In years where the election for a particular office does not take place, a candidate is subject to all of the contribution limitations discussed above, and also is limited in the total amount of contributions he or she receives. The total limitations are as follows:
•Mayoral candidates may receive political committee contributions totaling no more than $250,000 per year;
•District Attorney and City Controller candidates may receive political committee contributions totaling no more than $100,000 per year;
•Candidates for City Council, Register of Wills, Sheriff, Clerk of Quarter Sessions, Court and City Commissioner may receive political committee contributions totaling no more than $75,000 per year.
Are there limitations on a candidate using his or her own money to finance his or her campaign?
No. Contribution limitations do not apply to contributions from a candidate’s personal resources into the candidate’s candidate political committee. However, if contributions from a candidate’s personal resources total $250,000 or more, regardless of when contributions were made, then the contribution limits for all other candidates for that City elective office will double.
Do these limits ever change?
Yes. The limits were most recently changed in January of 2008. The limits are increased every four years, so the next adjustment will take place in 2012. The adjustments are made by the Finance Director, who calculates the "CPI Multiplier" using the latest available figures for the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for Philadelphia, as measured by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Are there any other financial limitations on a candidate?
Yes. Candidates are limited to one campaign committee and one checking
account for the City office sought. All contributions and expenditures for such
office must be made from this one account. Any other funds collected in other accounts may not be used for the campaign.
How are these campaign contribution limits enforced?
Any resident of the City may bring an action for injunctive relief to stop
violations of, or to compel compliance with, the campaign contribution limitations discussed above. The deciding court may award to a prevailing plaintiff his or her costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
In addition to criminal penalties, any person in violation of these rules will be subject to a civil penalty of $1,900 for each violation committed during calendar year 2008, and $2,000 for each violation committed after that. Violators also may be forever disqualified from holding any elected or appointed City office or employment by the City, its agencies, authorities, boards or commissions.
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