New Legislation, Rules, and Requirements Campaigns Need to Be Aware of for the 2025 and 2026 Elections

As we look ahead to the 2025 and 2026 election cycles, campaigns face a rapidly shifting legal and regulatory landscape. From updated contribution limits to new expectations around artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, staying compliant is no longer just about filing on time, it’s about adapting to a rapidly changing political and technological environment while ensuring full transparency and trust to voters.

Here’s a breakdown of the most recent changes campaigns must be aware of.

1. Campaign Finance: Increased Limits and Expanded Disclosures

Updated Contribution Limits: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has revised the contribution caps for the 2025–2026 cycle:

• Individual donors may now contribute up to $3,500 per election to federal candidates—meaning $7,000 total for a primary and general combined.

• National party committees can accept $44,300 per year from individuals.

• Specialized accounts for recounts, conventions, and party headquarters can now accept up to $132,900 annually from individuals and non-multicandidate PACs, while multicandidate PACs are limited to $45,000 per year.

Lobbyist Bundling Threshold Raised: Effective January 1, 2025, campaigns must disclose bundled contributions totaling $23,300 or more from registered lobbyists or lobbyist PACs.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Regulation on the Rise

AI is becoming a powerful tool in political messaging, but it’s also a regulatory flashpoint. As we’ve explored in our previous blogs, "How Will The Emergence of AI Influence Political Fundraising?" and "AI in Politics: Is the Campaign Industry Ready?", the growing use of AI in campaigns raises important questions about ethics, transparency, and compliance.

• Federal Oversight: The FEC has made it clear that existing laws prohibiting fraudulent misrepresentation apply to deceptive uses of AI, such as deepfakes or misleading synthetic voices.

• FCC Proposal: The Federal Communications Commission is advancing rules requiring clear on-air disclosure when AI-generated content appears in political radio or TV ads.

• State-Level Laws: Several states, including California and Texas, are introducing AI-specific election laws that mandate disclosure of synthetic content in campaign communications.

Transparency is key. Even if your campaign uses AI responsibly, say for ad scripting—you’ll still need to disclose that usage in some jurisdictions. 

3. Cybersecurity: A Growing Priority for Election Integrity

With cyberattacks on political targets on the rise, the federal government and many states are pushing campaigns to harden their digital defenses.

• CISA Support: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers free training, incident response plans, and risk assessments tailored for political organizations.

• State Initiatives: More states are investing in secure voter databases, secure communication channels, and mandatory cybersecurity training for officials and campaign staff.

From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, campaigns are vulnerable. Campaigns need cybersecurity readiness assessments and work hand in hand with IT or compliance teams to implement CISA-backed best practices and minimize digital risk.

4. Digital Political Advertising: Increased Scrutiny and Disclosure

Digital platforms are no longer the Wild West of political advertising. Digital ads must be treated with the same legal diligence as traditional ones. 

• Federal Movement: Proposed legislation like the Honest Ads Act and the REAL Political Advertisements Act seek to extend the same disclosure requirements seen in TV and radio to online platforms.

• State-Led Reforms: States including Maryland and Washington have enacted their own digital ad transparency laws, requiring platforms and advertisers to maintain public files and detailed records of ad purchases.

5. Voter Access, Registration, and Equipment Certification

Voter Registration Overhauls: Some states are modernizing their registration systems, adding automatic or online voter registration, while others are debating new proof-of-citizenship requirements. These shifts can impact how and when voters engage with your campaign.

Election Equipment Scrutiny: An executive order raised red flags around uncertified election equipment in multiple states. This could lead to last-minute changes in polling logistics or even litigation that affects turnout.

These developments underscore the need to monitor legislative sessions closely and adapt voter outreach strategies accordingly. Election law is constantly evolving and 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be no exception. Campaigns that wait until the last minute to adapt risk fines, bad press, or worse: disqualification.

At Princeton Strategies, we don’t just help you stay compliant—we help you stay competitive, we’re here to ensure your campaign meets every new challenge with clarity and control, so you can focus on winning.

Ready to future-proof your campaign? Stay ahead of compliance changes and digital disruption with Princeton Strategies by your side. Connect with us today to ensure compliance and keep your campaign moving forward.

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