As the election season intensifies, companies face a rapidly evolving landscape of regulatory, compliance, and reputational considerations. With heightened scrutiny on political engagement, lobbying, campaign finance, and communications, organizations must be prepared to navigate complex and fast-moving legal requirements.
Drawing on our deep experience in election and political law, public policy, and regulatory compliance, Covington has developed an Election Year Toolkit to help clients stay ahead of these developments. The toolkit will be updated throughout the year with key resources and practical insights on a range of topics, including emerging enforcement trends.
Key Takeaways
Given the differing and complex rules across jurisdictions, companies should be aware of common political law issues that may arise as they get more engaged in the electoral process. Learn more.
With redistricting, the “billionaire tax” and other ballot measures, and heated gubernatorial and other races, contributors are giving huge amounts of money this year in California state and local elections. California has a complex campaign finance system, and it can be easy to miss some of the requirements. Key among these is the requirement that contributors file disclosures as “major donors” when their contributions in state and local elections total $10,000 or more in a calendar year. This threshold includes contributions to state or local candidates, ballot measure committees, parties, PACs, and other committees. Major donors include not only individual contributors but also corporations and other entities that reach the $10,000 contribution threshold. Learn more.
More than one billion dollars were spent in 2024 elections supporting or opposing state and local ballot measures. With high-profile and contentious issues expected to be on the ballot, such as congressional redistricting, AI regulation, minimum wage increases, and more, that number promises to be even larger in 2026. As state legislatures become more polarized and more focused on national political issues, ballot measures are increasingly seen as an alternative avenue for businesses, interest groups, and citizens to change state laws. Learn more.
If you have any questions concerning the material discussed in this client alert, please contact the following members of our Election and Political Law practice.
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