Contribution Limits
STATE OF MONTANA CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS - SUMMARY
This guide is just a summary - Montana's campaign contribution limits were established under 13-37-216, MCA, with the current limits published in 44.11.227, ARM.
Montana's campaign contribution limits apply per election - under MCA 13-37-216(5) “… election means the general election or primary election that involves two or more candidates for the same nomination. If there is not a contested primary, there is only one election to which the contribution limits apply. If there is a contested primary, then there are two elections to which the contribution limits apply.”
CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS:
From an INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR (Human Being)
Candidates for Governor/Lt. Governor: $1,190 per election
Candidates for Other Statewide Office*: $830 per election
Candidates for Other Public Office**: $470 per election
Candidate to own campaign: No Limit
From INDEPENDENT POLITICAL COMMITTEES (PACs)
Candidates for Governor/Lt. Governor: $1,190 per election
Candidates for Other Statewide Office*: $830 per election
Candidates for Other Public Office**: $470 per election
From POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES (Aggregate limits from ALL political party committees)
Political Party Committees may contribute to judicial candidates (i.e. Supreme Court Justice, District Judge, Justice of the Peace). See House Bill 39 (2025 Montana Legislature), which repealed Montana’s prior prohibition found in MCA 13-35-231.
See also personnel services exception ARM 44.11.225 (3).
Candidates for Governor/Lt. Governor: $118,700 per election
Candidates for Other Statewide Office*: $89,050 per election
Candidates for Public Service Commission: $17,800 per election
Candidate for State Senate: $3,550 per election
Candidates for Other Public Office: $2,350 per election
CORPORATIONS OR UNIONS
May NOT contribute directly or indirectly to a candidate, § MCA 13-35-227.
* Other Statewide Office
Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Supreme Court Justice, Clerk of the Supreme Court
** Other Public Office
State District (Public Service Commissioner, State Senate, State House of Representatives, District Judge)
County (All County Elected Officials)
City (All City Elected Officials)
School (All School Districts)
Trustees