Registering a Federal Campaign with the FEC

Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, a person becomes a candidate for the House, Senate, or presidency once they raise or spend more than 5,000 dollars. They must then file a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission within 15 days, naming a principal campaign committee, which must register within 10 days and appoint a treasurer. State and local candidates follow their own state's campaign finance agency instead.

Campaigns may accept up to 3,500 dollars per election from an individual in the 2025 to 2026 cycle, with primaries and general elections counted separately, and limited amounts from political action committees and parties. They may not accept money from corporations, unions, federal contractors, or foreign nationals, and must report contributors who give more than 200 dollars. Candidates may give or lend their own campaigns unlimited amounts. Committees file reports quarterly or monthly, plus pre-election reports, all posted publicly on the FEC website.

Campaign money cannot be used for personal expenses such as rent or clothing, though it can pay for child care needed to campaign, a change the FEC approved in 2018. The FEC enforces the rules through audits, complaints, and fines, but it needs four of its six commissioners to act and has often deadlocked or lacked a quorum, including in 2025. Candidates who break the rules can face fines, and willful violations can be prosecuted.