How Does Campaign Financing Work in U.S. Elections? Donors, Super PACs, Dark Money, and the 2026 Supreme Court Ruling
How Does Campaign Financing Work in U.S. Elections? Donors, Super PACs, Dark Money, and the 2026 Supreme Court Ruling Quick Answer: Who Pays for Political Campaigns? Campaigns have multiple funding sources: Candidates rely on personal funds, individual donations, political action committees, and political party support. Individual federal contributions are limited: During the 2025–2026 election cycle, an individual may donate up to $3,500 per candidate per election. Super PACs can raise unlimited funds: They can support or oppose federal candidates through independent spending but cannot make direct candidate contributions. Some political funding is difficult to trace: Certain nonprofit organizations can engage in political activity without publicly identifying all their donors. A June 30, 2026 Supreme Court ruling changed party spending rules: The Court struck down federal limits on political parties' expenditures coordinated with candidate...