The New Jersey Election Law Changes: Campaign Contribution Hikes

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission has taken a significant step by approving hikes to campaign contribution limits. These adjustments will have a notable impact on next year's legislative and non-gubernatorial races. The commission's unanimous vote has led to an increase in the contribution limit from $5,200 to $5,500 for individual, corporate, union, and other group donations, representing a nearly 5.8% hike. This is the first change made under the Elections Transparency Act of 2023, which also requires the commission to index donation caps for inflation every two years.

Ensuring Candidates Keep Pace with Campaign Costs

Amanda Haines, the commission's executive director, emphasizes the importance of these adjustments. She states that they ensure "candidates and committees keep pace with fluctuations in the cost of running a campaign." With New Jersey voters set to choose a new governor next year and all 80 Assembly seats up for grabs, these changes are timely.

Impact on Different Types of Donors and Committees

Maximum allowable donations to municipal party organizations, political committees, and continuing political committees (PACs) will rise from $14,400 to $15,200. These groups will also be permitted to give candidates $17,300 per cycle, an increase from $16,400. It's important to note that contributions from municipal parties are not subject to donation limits.In New Jersey, primary and general elections are separate cycles. This means an individual donor can give a candidate $5,500 during a primary race and then make the same donation once the candidate has secured their party's nomination.The limit on contributions to state and county party organizations will rise from $75,000 to $79,000, while national party committees will be allowed to give state and county parties $152,000 per cycle, up from $144,000.The commission determined the level of these increases by measuring how much advertising and other campaign costs had increased over a two-year period. They found that these costs rose by a weighted average of 5.23%, which was then applied to existing limits and rounded up to the next multiple of 100 as required by state law.

Impact on Gubernatorial Candidates

Over the summer, the commission set new contribution and spending limits for gubernatorial candidates. The donation cap was raised from $4,900 to $5,800. Gubernatorial limits rose more because their inflation adjustment is applied every four years rather than every two.Gubernatorial candidates can qualify to receive matching public funds at a rate of two public dollars for every dollar raised from private sources by raising at least $580,000. Candidates who choose to receive matching public funds must agree to spend no more than $8.7 million during the primary and $18.5 million during the general election. They can receive up to $5.5 million in matched funds for the primary or $12.5 million for the general.These changes in New Jersey's election law are set to have a profound impact on the political landscape and fundraising efforts in the state. They reflect the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.