FAQ // CAMPAIGN FINANCE RULES
What's Legal // 2026 CA Governor Race
California limits how much money can flow to candidates for state office. Below are the rules that apply to the 2026 gubernatorial election, sourced from the Fair Political Practices Commission.
LEGALLY ALLOWED
- +Individuals donating up to $39,200 per election to a Governor candidate
- +Political parties making unlimited contributions to candidates
- +Independent expenditures by Super PACs (no contribution limit when not coordinated)
- +Ballot measure committees accepting unlimited contributions
- +Candidates voluntarily accepting expenditure ceilings in exchange for ballot statement space
- +Small Contributor Committees aggregating $200/yr donations from 100+ people
NOT ALLOWED
- −An individual giving more than $39,200 to a Governor candidate per election
- −A PAC giving more than $9,800/year to another PAC that funds state candidates
- −A state candidate transferring more than $5,900 to another state candidate's committee
- −Coordinating spending between a candidate and an 'independent' expenditure committee
- −Aggregating contributions from affiliated entities to bypass per-source limits
- −Using legal defense funds for amounts beyond what is reasonably necessary
2025-2026 CONTRIBUTION LIMITS — GOVERNOR
| CONTRIBUTOR | LIMIT PER ELECTION |
|---|---|
| Individual / Business / PAC | $39,200 |
| Small Contributor Committee | $39,200 |
| Political Party | No Limit |
Primary, general, special, and special run-off elections are each treated as separate elections.
LIMITS TO OTHER COMMITTEES (PER CALENDAR YEAR)
| COMMITTEE | LIMIT FROM ANY PERSON |
|---|---|
| PAC contributing to state candidates | $9,800 / yr |
| Political Party account for state candidates | $49,000 / yr |
| Small Contributor Committee | $200 / yr |
| Ballot measure / non-candidate PAC | No Limit* |
*State PACs and parties may accept contributions over the limit only if they are NOT used for state candidate contributions.
VOLUNTARY EXPENDITURE CEILING — GOVERNOR
| ELECTION | CEILING |
|---|---|
| Primary | $11,767,000 |
| General | $19,611,000 |