Please reference the contribution chart for contribution and transfer limits in an election cycle.
Please note there has been some changes in the law-- The CCF Division is in the process of updating the Summary Guide and this webpage. If you have any questions about the law, please contact the CCF Division at 410-269-2840.
Table of Contents
Revised: July, 2006
The Summary Guide is also available as one PDF file (1.3Mbytes). Forms are included. (What is PDF?)
Chapter 1 - Introduction And Overview
- 1.1 Message From The Director
- 1.2 Definitions
- 1.3 General Information
- 1.4 Municipal Elections Not Covered
- 1.5 Division Of Candidacy And Campaign Finance Staff
- 1.6 County Boards Of Elections
Chapter 2 - Candidates
- 2.1 Qualifications
- 2.2 Filings Requirements - Generally
- 2.3 Filing Requirements - Write-in Candidates
- 2.4 Filing Requirements - Unaffiliated Candidates
- 2.4.1 Filing Requirements - Third-Party Candidates
- 2.5 Filing Requirements - Federal Candidates
- 2.6 Other Responsibilities And Liabilities
Chapter 3 - Establishing and Closing a Campaign Finance Entity
- 3.1 Establishing a Campaign Finance Entity - Statement Of Organization
- 3.2 When to Close a Campaign Finance Entity
- 3.3 How to Close a Campaign Finance Entity
- 3.4 Disposition of Surplus Funds
- 3.5 Continuing versus Non-Continuing Campaign Finance Entities
Chapter 4 - Candidate Committees, Slates, and Personal Treasurers
- 4.1 Candidate Committees
- 4.2 Slate Accounts
- 4.3 Personal Treasurer
Chapter 5 - PACs, Ballot Issue Committees, and Party Central Committees
- 5.1 Political Action Committees (PACs)
- 5.2 Ballot Issue Committees
- 5.3 Party Central Committees
- 5.4 Out-of-State Political Committees
- 5.5 Federal Committees
Chapter 6 - Committee Officers
- 6.1 Who can serve as an officer
- 6.2 Duties and Responsibilities of the Treasurer
- 6.3 Sub-Treasurers
- 6.4 Duties and Responsibilities of the Chairman
- 6.5 How to Resign
Chapter 7 - Contributions and Transfers
- 7.1 The Difference Between Contributions and Transfers
- 7.2 Contribution Limits
- 7.3 Transfer Limits
- 7.4 In-Kind Contributions and Independent Expenditures
- 7.5 Ticket Purchases
- 7.6 Contributions by Business Entities
- 7.7 Transfers by Affiliated Political Committees
- 7.8 Form of Payment (cash, check, or charge)
- 7.10 Joint Contributions
- 7.11 Prohibited Contributions
- 7.12 Receipts
- 7.13 Contributions by the Candidate
- 7.14 Raffles and Wheels
- 7.15 Payroll Deductions
- 7.16 Collection by Membership Entities
- 7.17 Administrative Contributions
- 7.18 Contributions by Minors
Chapter 8 - Expenditures
- 8.1 Generally
- 8.2 How to Make Expenditures
- 8.3 Petty Cash
- 8.4 Expenditures to Federal Candidates and Committees
- 8.4.1 Expenditures to Municipal Candidate and Committee
- 8.5 Legislative Newsletters
- 8.6 Prohibited Expenditures
Chapter 9 - Loans
- 9.1 Generally
- 9.2 Interest
- 9.3 Loans from the Candidate or the Candidate's Spouse
- 9.4 Loan and Repayment Examples
Chapter 10 - Campaign Fund Reports
- 10.1 When Reports Must Be Submitted
- 10.2 Where Reports Must Be Submitted
- 10.3 How to File a Campaign Finance Report
- 10.4 Report Forms
- 10.5 Summary Page
- 10.6 Reporting Receipts - Schedules 1, 1a, & 1b
- 10.7 Reporting Expenditures - Schedule 2
- 10.8 Reporting Loans - Schedule 3
- 10.9 Reporting Unpaid Bills
- 10.10 Reporting Items Sold
- 10.11 Lump Sum Reporting
- 10.12 Liability for Failure to File
- 10.13 Electronic Filing of Campaign Finance Reports
Chapter 11 - Campaign Literature and Paraphernalia
- 11.1 Authority Lines
- 11.2 Copies of Campaign Materials
- 11.3 Placement of Campaign Signs
- 11.4 Giveaway Items
- 11.5 Campaigning on Election Day
Chapter 12 - Campaign Management
- 12.1 Account Books
- 12.2 Bank Accounts
- 12.3 Tax-Related Questions
Chapter 13 - Enforcement
Chapter 14 - Forms