§ 163-278.62. Definitions.
§ 163‑278.62. Definitions.
The following definitionsapply in this Article:
(1) Board. The StateBoard of Elections.
(2) Candidate. Anindividual who becomes a candidate as described in G.S. 163‑278.6(4). Theterm includes a political committee authorized by the candidate for thatcandidate's election.
(3) Certified candidate. A candidate running for office who chooses to receive campaign funds from theFund and who is certified under G.S. 163‑278.64(c).
(4) Contested primaryand contested general election. An election in which there are morecandidates than the number to be elected. A distribution from the Fund pursuantto this Article is not a "contribution" and is not subject to thelimitations of G.S. 163‑278.13 or the prohibitions of G.S. 163‑278.15or G.S. 163‑278.19.
(5) Contribution. Definedin G.S. 163‑278.6. A distribution from the Fund pursuant to this Articleis 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) Electioneeringcommunication. As defined in G.S. 163‑278.80 and G.S. 163‑278.90,except that it is made during the period beginning 30 days before absenteeballots become available for a primary and ending on primary election day andduring the period 60 days before absentee ballots become available for ageneral election and ending on general election day.
(6) Expenditure. Definedin G.S. 163‑278.6.
(7) Fund. The NorthCarolina Public Campaign Fund established in G.S. 163‑278.63.
(8) Independentexpenditure. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.
(9) Maximum qualifyingcontributions. An amount of qualifying contributions equal to 60 times thefiling fee for candidacy for the office.
(10) Minimum qualifyingcontributions. An amount of qualifying contributions equal to 30 times thefiling fee for candidacy for the office.
(11) Nonparticipatingcandidate. A candidate running for office who is not seeking to be certifiedunder G.S. 163‑278.64(c).
(12) Office. A positionon the North Carolina Court of Appeals or North Carolina Supreme Court.
(13) Participatingcandidate. A candidate for office who has filed a declaration of intent toparticipate 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 fivehundred dollars ($500.00) in the form prescribed for noncash monetarycontributions in G.S. 163‑278.14(b) to the candidate or the candidate'scommittee that meets both of the following conditions:
a. Made by anindividual who is a registered voter in this State at the time of the submittalof the report specified in G.S. 163‑278.64(c).
b. Made during thequalifying period and obtained with the approval of the candidate or candidate'scommittee.
(16) Qualifying period. Theperiod beginning September 1 in the year before the election and ending on theday of the primary of the election year.
(17) Referendum committee. Defined in G.S. 163‑278.6.
(18) Trigger for matchingfunds. The dollar amount at which matching funds are released for certifiedcandidates. In the case of a primary, the trigger equals the maximum qualifyingcontributions for participating candidates. In the case of a contested generalelection, 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.)