- Starting Tuesday, January 9 at 12:00 noon, all candidates for state political office must cease accepting campaign contributions.
- That’s because Alabama law generally prohibits campaign contributions for state office during the legislative session.
- Secretary of State John Merrill issued a press release late last week reminding all candidates and PACs of the blackout period. His release quoted the Alabama code:
- “Candidates for state offices (All statewide offices including Constitutional Officers, Judicial Officers, the Public Service Commission, and State Legislators) and their principal campaign committees” … “may not solicit or accept, or both, contributions during the period when the Legislature is convened in session.”
- So, if you’re a candidate or a consultant for one, go ahead and take that donate link off the website. You’ll be glad you did.
- Of course, one important exception in the law is that contributions may continue once we are within 120 days of an election. With Alabama’s primary scheduled for June 5, that means the blackout ends on February 4.
- We’re talking less than a month. Don’t get in trouble.