2011 North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 163 Elections and Election Laws.
Article 22D - The North Carolina Public Campaign Financing Fund.
163-278.62. Definitions.

163‑278.62. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Board. The State Board of Elections.

(2) Candidate. An individual who becomes a candidate as described in G.S. 163‑278.6(4). The term includes a political committee authorized by the candidate for that candidate's election.

(3) Certified candidate. A candidate running for office who chooses to receive campaign funds from the Fund and who is certified under G.S. 163‑278.64(c).

(4) Contested primary and contested general election. An election in which there are more candidates than the number to be elected. A distribution from the Fund pursuant to this Article is not a "contribution" and is not subject to the limitations of G.S. 163‑278.13 or the prohibitions of G.S. 163‑278.15 or G.S. 163‑278.19.

(5) Contribution. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6. A distribution from the Fund pursuant to this Article is not a "contribution" and is not subject to the limitations of G.S. 163‑278.13 or the prohibitions of G.S. 163‑278.15 or 163‑278.19.

(5a) Electioneering communication. As defined in G.S. 163‑278.6, except that it is made during the period beginning 30 days before absentee ballots become available for a primary and ending on primary election day and during the period 60 days before absentee ballots become available for a general election and ending on general election day.

(6) Expenditure. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.

(7) Fund. The North Carolina Public Campaign Fund established in G.S. 163‑278.63.

(8) Independent expenditure. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.

(9) Maximum qualifying contributions. An amount of qualifying contributions equal to 60 times the filing fee for candidacy for the office.

(10) Minimum qualifying contributions. An amount of qualifying contributions equal to 30 times the filing fee for candidacy for the office.

(11) Nonparticipating candidate. A candidate running for office who is not seeking to be certified under G.S. 163‑278.64(c).

(12) Office. A position on the North Carolina Court of Appeals or North Carolina Supreme Court.

(13) Participating candidate. A candidate for office who has filed a declaration of intent to participate under G.S. 163‑278.64.

(14) Political committee. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.

(15) Qualifying contribution. A contribution of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in the form prescribed for noncash monetary contributions in G.S. 163‑278.14(b) to the candidate or the candidate's committee that meets both of the following conditions:

a. Made by an individual who is a registered voter in this State at the time of the submittal of the report specified in G.S. 163‑278.64(c).

b. Made during the qualifying period and obtained with the approval of the candidate or candidate's committee.

(16) Qualifying period. The period beginning September 1 in the year before the election and ending on the day of the primary of the election year.

(17) Referendum committee. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.

(18) Trigger for matching funds. The dollar amount at which matching funds are released for certified candidates. In the case of a primary, the trigger equals the maximum qualifying contributions for participating candidates. In the case of a contested general election, the trigger equals the base level of funding available under G.S. 163‑278.65(b)(4). (2002‑158, s. 1; 2005‑276, s. 23A.1(d); 2007‑510, ss. 1(c), 1(d); 2009‑543, s. 1; 2010‑170, s. 12.)