There is not a $250 personal max. If you spend more than $250 of your own money on a campaign, independent of the official campaign, there is a special form you need to file with the FEC. Essentially, from what I have read, it boils down to three categories.
1) Official donations. This what gets contributed to Burlington. There is a limit of $2000/individual in the primary. You will be able to contribute another $2000 in the general election. 2) PAC Donations. This is to organizations that are working on behalf of specific issues. I don't know all the details on PAC donations, but if you get together with a bunch of friends and do more than $250 together on something, you may need to register as a PAC. 3) Individual expeditures. This has been discussed a bit over on the DeanMeetupHelp mailing list, which has a bunch of lawyers on it answering campaign finance questions (with the general disclaimer that it is for general guidance only etc) From their FAQ comes the following information: QUESTION 3: If an individual or an "X for Dean" group makes an independent expenditure (paying for a public communication that expressly advocates election of Dean or defeat of Bush or other candidates) then is there a requirement to make an FEC report? ANSWER: Expenditures that total less than $250 during a calendar year can be made without requiring a report. If the expenditures of an individual or group exceed $250 then an independent expenditure report (FEC Form 5) must be filed with the FEC. Any individual who has contributed more than than $200 in support of another individual or group's independent expenditure must be identified within the FEC Form 5. (See 2 U.S.C. ~ 434(c)(1), (c)(2)(C); 11 CFR 109.10(b), (e)(1)(vi)). Example 1: Volunteer Jane spends $250 for "Dean for President" posters. Because the total does not exceed $250, no report is required. Example 2: After spending $250 for "Dean for President" posters in June, Jane pays $100 for "Defeat Bush" posters in December. Because the calendar year total exceeds $250, Jane must file FEC Form 5. Example 3: Same facts as Example 2, except Bill gives Jane $225 in August to support Jane's poster efforts. Jane must fill out FEC form 5 since the $250 limit has been exceeded and Jane must identify Bill in the FEC Form 5 because Bill's contribution exceeds $200. and QUESTION 12: If in supporting Dean a volunteer uses his or own personal property, such as a home computer, software, e-mail account or fax machine, all previously acquired for purposes other than this campaign, is the volunteer making either an in-kind contribution to the Dean committee or an independent expenditure? ANSWER: A volunteer's use at home of his or her personal equipment, software, Internet access, e-mail accounts, etc. is covered by a "home use" exception. These activities are not in-kind contributions or independent expenditures. A volunteer's costs to register a domain name for a home-run website to support Dean is covered by this exception, as is a volunteer's downloading and use of Dean committee materials, even when the Dean committee gives the volunteer permission to do so. (See FEC Advisory Opinion No. 1999-17-- issued to none other than the Governor George W. Bush for President Exploratory Committee, Inc.!) There is a lot more to this subject and I would be willing to talk to whomever on more details if necessary. Aldon
