Engage · State

Following the money in Idaho politics

Idaho's Sunshine Law makes candidates, political committees and lobbyists report where their money comes from and where it goes. All of it is searchable online.

Who reports, and to whom

One office for everything. Since 2020, campaign finance at every level in Idaho, from school board to Governor, is reported to the Secretary of State.
Candidates report every contribution and every expense, including their own money.
Political committees (PACs) and groups making independent expenditures report too.
Lobbyists register with the Secretary of State and report what they spend.
Candidates for Congress and President report to the Federal Election Commission instead.

Where to look

The Sunshine Portal has reports from 2023 on: search by candidate, committee or donor.
The older Sunshine site has 2020 through 2023, including local candidates from those years.
A data archive covers 2000 through 2019 for state races. Local records from before 2020 are with the county or city clerk.
FEC.gov has federal candidates.

The limits

A person, business or political committee can give a candidate, per election:

$5,000 for a statewide office such as Governor.
$1,000 for the Legislature or a judicial office.

The primary and the general election count separately. The Legislature considered raising these limits in 2026, so check the Secretary of State's current guides before you rely on a number.

When reports come out

Monthly in an election year, due on the 10th.
Once a year otherwise, due January 10.
Within 48 hours for any single contribution of $1,000 or more.

What to look for

Who gives the most, and whether they're in the district.
Money from committees. Look up the committee itself to see who funds it.
Independent spending. Groups can spend to support or oppose a candidate without giving to the campaign. That spending is reported separately and is often the larger number.
Timing. Large late contributions show up in the 48-hour reports, not the monthly ones.

If something looks wrong

Complaints about campaign finance reports go to the Secretary of State's office, which can fine late or incomplete filers and refer violations for enforcement.

Sources

Last reviewed November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked sources before you rely on a deadline.