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Arkansas Political Contribution Laws

Arkansas law sets strict limits on how much individuals, parties, and committees can contribute to candidates, with limits adjusted annually by the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

Key Contribution Limits

Per election limits (2025–2026 cycle)

• Individuals: $3,500 per election to gubernatorial, state senate, and state house candidates.

• State political parties: $3,500 per election to gubernatorial candidates; $3,500 to state senate; $3,500 to state house.

• Political committees: $3,500 per election to gubernatorial and state legislative candidates.

• Corporations/unions: No direct contributions to candidates or party committees; unlimited contributions allowed to ballot measure campaigns.

Annual PAC and party committee limits 

• Political Action Committees (PACs): No more than $10,000 per calendar year from any single person.

• County political party committees: No more than $5,000 per calendar year from any single person.

Candidate limits

• Candidates may accept contributions up to the maximum per election from each eligible donor (individual, party, PAC, etc.), regardless of whether the candidate is opposed or unopposed.

• The total per election is based on all contributions from a donor during that election, even if the candidate runs for multiple offices or withdraws mid‑campaign.

Legal Basis and Adjustments

• Arkansas Code § 7‑6‑203 prohibits contributions above the Ethics Commission’s set limits and bars contributions from ineligible sources.

• 7 CAR § 5‑112 sets PAC and county party annual limits codeofarrules.arkansas.gov.

• Limits are adjusted each odd‑numbered year by a percentage certified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to the FEC, as required by Ark. Code § 7‑6‑203 codeofarrules.arkansas.gov.

• The Arkansas Ethics Commission announces the current per‑election limit for each cycle ARKANSAS ETHICS COMMISSION.

Compliance and Enforcement

• Violations can result in penalties under Arkansas campaign finance law.

• All contributions must be reported to the Arkansas Ethics Commission, and candidates must maintain accurate records.

• The Ethics Commission’s official site provides the current per‑election limit and guidance for compliance