2008 Election Price Tag: $5.3 Billion

The Center for Responsive Politics estimates that the 2008 Congressional and Presidential elections combined will cost more than $5.3 billion.

The presidential election got started early, in January 2007. In the intervening months, candidates have spent more than $1.5 billion. The Center estimates that the presidential race will have cost up to $2.4 billion when it ends in two weeks -- and that's with one candidate accepting public financing.

In 2004, the Center identified about 1.1 million individuals who gave more than $200 to a federal candidate, party or PAC. This year, the number is about 1 million. There are no official records on the number of donors under $200.

See Money, Politics and Advocacy.