| Office | Regular ceiling | 15% runoff | Maximum with runoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| President + Vice President | $100,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $115,000,000 |
| U.S. Senate | $5,000,000 | $750,000 | $5,750,000 |
| U.S. House | $2,000,000 | $300,000 | $2,300,000 |
| Governor | $1,500,000 | $225,000 | $1,725,000 |
| Lieutenant Governor | $750,000 | $112,500 | $862,500 |
| Other N.C. Council of State | $500,000 | $75,000 | $575,000 |
| State Senate | $100,000 | $15,000 | $115,000 |
| State House | $100,000 | $15,000 | $115,000 |
“Other N.C. Council of State” covers Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Commissioners of Agriculture, Labor, and Insurance.
What counts
- Candidate and immediate-family money
- Party money and services
- Advertising, mail, polling, data, staff, consultants, travel, events, and fundraising
- Loans, guarantees, debts when incurred, and delayed payments
- Donated or discounted goods and professional services at fair-market value
- Campaign-related government transportation and resources
Runoff safeguard
A candidate in a legally required runoff or second primary receives one additional allowance equal to 15% of the normal ceiling.
- Both candidates receive the same allowance.
- It may be claimed only once.
- It cannot be transferred or stacked.
- Outside spending remains prohibited.
- Recounts are treated separately.