Corporations and Unions
Corporations, associations (cooperatives and unincorporated cooperative associations), labor unions, and American Indian tribes may not contribute to certain types of political committees in Wisconsin, including candidate committees. These groups may contribute to independent expenditure committees, referenda committees, and segregated fund accounts established by party committees and legislative campaign committees (Wis. Stat. § 11.1112).
Contributions from Foreign Nationals
Committees and conduits are prohibited from accepting contributions from foreign nationals (Wis. Stat. § 11.1208(4)) as defined by
52 United States Code § 30121. Committees may only accept contributions from U.S. Citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
Contributions from Lobbyists
A lobbyist may make a personal contribution to candidates for partisan state office only between the following dates:
Current Legislators and Candidates for Assembly or Senate
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Open Date: If the legislature is not in session, a lobbyist may make a personal contribution beginning on the first day the legislator or candidate may begin circulating nomination papers (Wis. Stat. § 13.625(1m)(b)). April 15 is the first day for circulating nomination papers for the general election in the fall.
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Close Date: The date of the election the legislator or candidate is participating in (Wis. Stat. § 13.625(1m)(b)).
Lobbyists may not contribute to current legislators or candidates for Assembly or Senate while the legislature is in session. Contributions may be made only after the final floor period has concluded, and the legislature must not be in special or extraordinary session (
Wis. Stat. §
13.625(1m)(b)1).
Sitting Officials and Candidates for All Other Partisan State Offices
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Open Date: A lobbyist may make a personal contribution beginning on the first day the official or candidate may begin circulating nomination papers (Wis. Stat. § 13.625(1m)(b)). April 15 is the first day for circulating nomination papers for the general election in the fall.
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Close Date: The date of the election the official or candidate is participating in (Wis. Stat. § 13.625(1m)(b)).
A lobbyist may furnish (deliver or convey) a campaign contribution on behalf of a PAC, conduit, or other person to a candidate for any office at any time. A lobbyist may make a personal contribution to a candidate for non-partisan office at any time. See guideline
ETH-1250 for more information.
Limit on Anonymous Contributions
Committees must report each anonymous donation. Anonymous contributions are limited to no more than $10 per anonymous donation. If a committee does accept an anonymous contribution greater than $10, the committee must donate the entire anonymous donation to a charity of the committee’s choosing or to the Wisconsin Common School Fund (Wis. Stat. §
11.1108). Acceptance of the contribution and donation of the excess should be reported on the committee’s next report. A conduit may not accept anonymous contributions (Wis. Stat. § 11.0101(7)). See the guideline ETH-1304 for more information regarding anonymous donations.
Limit on Cash Contributions
A committee or conduit may not accept a cash contribution exceeding $100. Any contribution greater than $100 shall be made by negotiable instrument, such as a check (Wis. Stat. § 11.1107).