Campaign Finance Advisory Opinions

Overview

Consistent with Duties of Executive Director of State Board (N.C.G.S. § 163-278.23), the executive director of the State Board of Elections, upon request, issues written advisory opinions about North Carolina’s campaign finance laws to candidates, the media, political committees, referendum committees, and other entities. If an entity relies on and complies with a written advisory opinion issued by the executive director to the entity, then the entity may not be prosecuted or the subject of a civil action on account of the procedure followed. 

Find the State Board’s campaign finance advisory opinions from 2019 to present on this page. On our FTP site, you can find Advisory Opinions Issued from 1998 to 2018. Advisory opinions are also published in the North Carolina Register.

View Recent Advisory Opinions

Find recent advisory opinions in the table below, along with the subject, recipient, and relevant statute(s).

Written Opinion (PDF)RecipientRelevant Statute(s)*
WO-2024-09-21: Definition of a ContributionDefending Digital Campaigns, Inc.N.C.G.S. § 163-278.6(74)
WO-2024-09-13: Contribution LimitsRobert Long/Committee to Elect Van Duncan Commission ChairN.C.G.S. § 163-278.13
WO-2024-05-22: Volunteer ServicesBrad ScottN.C.G.S. § 163-278.6(13); N.C.G.S. § 163-278.7(a)
WO-2024-04-19(2): The Use of Contributions for a District OfficeSen. Kevin CorbinN.C.G.S. § 163-278.16B
WO-2024-04-19(1): The Use of Political Party Headquarters Building for Internet ServicesLincoln County Democratic PartyN.C.G.S. § 163-278.19B
WO-2023-10-17: Legal ServicesConstitution Party of North CarolinaN.C.G.S. § 163-278.6(13); N.C.G.S.§ 163-278.15
WO-2023-06-22: The Use of Contributions for Caregiving/Dependent Care ExpensesRep. Julie von HaefenN.C.G.S. § 163-278.16B
WO-2022-11-28: Quarterly Reporting Schedule by Political PartiesConstitution Party of North CarolinaN.C.G.S. § 163-278.9
WO-2022-05-13: Organization of a Referendum CommitteeRobert N. Hunter, Jr.N.C.G.S. § 163-278.6
WO-2021-09-22: The Use of Political Party Headquarters Building Funds for Personnel CompensationKathleen DavisN.C.G.S. § 163-278.19B
WO-2021-06-25: Reporting of SettlementsJinger KelleyN.C.G.S. § 163-278.11; N.C.G.S. § 163-278.13; N.C.G.S. § 163-278.15; N.C.G.S. § 163-278.19
WO-2020-05-05: Federal Independent Expenditure-Only Political Committee (Super PAC) ContributionsBerkon and Weisman/Democratic Governors AssociationN.C.G.S. § 163-278.7A
WO-2020-04-20: The Use of Contributions for Childcare ServicesAntoine MarshallN.C.G.S. § 163-278.16B
WO-2020-01-14: Approving Sale and Lease of a Political Party Headquarters BuildingJoshua Coffey/Alexander County RECN.C.G.S. § 163-278.19B
WO-2019-11-12: The Use of Contributions for the Payment of a Salary to the CandidateAbbie LaneN.C.G.S. § 163-278.16B

*Refer to Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns (Article 22A, Chapter 163 of the N.C. General Statutes).

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