Under MSRB Rule G-37, what is the de minimis exception for political contributions by municipal securities professionals?

Why C — $250 per official per election, but only to officials for whom the contributor is entitled to vote

MSRB Rule G-37 provides a de minimis exception: a covered associate of a municipal securities dealer may contribute up to $250 per election to an issuer official for whom the contributor is entitled to vote without triggering the two-year business ban. If the contributor cannot vote for the official (e.g., the official is in a different jurisdiction), any contribution — regardless of amount — triggers the ban. This rule carefully balances an individual's right to participate in the political process with the need to prevent corruption in the awarding of municipal securities business.