Third Party Election Advertising Expenses Limits

Third parties are subject to election advertising expenses limits for general elections and by-elections.

The base limit for a general election with a 37-day election period is $150,000. Of that amount, no more than a base limit of $3,000 can be incurred to promote or oppose the election of one or more candidates in a particular electoral district. The $3,000 limit is also applicable to by-elections.

Base limits are multiplied by the inflation adjustment factor in effect on the date the writs are issued. The inflation adjustment factor in effect from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 is 1.372. This means that the general limit for a 37-day election period is $205,800 and the local limit is $4,116. If the election period is longer than 37 days, the limits are increased by 1/37th for each day in excess of 37 days.

Example

A general election is called with a 55-day election period.

Inflation-adjusted amount: $150,000.00 x 1.372 = $205,800.00
Adjustment for length of election period: $205,800.00 x 1/37 x (55 – 37) = $100,118.92
General limit: $205,800.00 + $100,118.92 = $305,918.92

Inflation-adjusted amount: $3,000.00 x 1.372 = $4,116.00
Adjustment for length of election period: $4,116.00 x 1/37 x (55 – 37) = $2,002.38
Local limit: $4,116.00 + $2,002.38 = $6,118.38