CHAPTER 157
CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM

PART I
PROGRAM

      Sec. 9-702. Citizens' Election Program established. Eligibility for grants. (a) There is established a Citizens' Election Program under which (1) the candidate committee of a major party candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may receive a grant from the Citizens' Election Fund for the candidate's primary campaign for said nomination, and (2) the candidate committee of a candidate nominated by a major party, or the candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate or an eligible petitioning party candidate, for election to the office of state senator or state representative at a special election held on or after December 31, 2006, or at a regular election held in 2008, or thereafter, or for election to the office of Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may receive a grant from the fund for the candidate's general election campaign for said office.

      (b) Any such candidate committee is eligible to receive such grants for a primary campaign, if applicable, and a general election campaign if (1) the candidate certifies as a participating candidate under section 9-703, (2) the candidate's candidate committee receives the required amount of qualifying contributions under section 9-704, (3) the candidate's candidate committee returns all contributions that do not meet the criteria for qualifying contributions under section 9-704, (4) the candidate agrees to limit the campaign expenditures of the candidate's candidate committee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, and (5) the candidate submits an application and the commission approves the application in accordance with the provisions of section 9-706.

      (c) A candidate participating in the Citizens' Election Program shall limit the expenditures of the candidate's candidate committee (A) before a primary campaign and a general election campaign, to the amount of qualifying contributions permitted in section 9-704 and any personal funds provided by the candidate under subsection (c) of section 9-710, (B) for a primary campaign, to the sum of (i) the amount of such qualifying contributions and personal funds that have not been spent before the primary campaign, and (ii) the amount of the grant for the primary campaign authorized under section 9-705, and (C) for a general election campaign, to the sum of (i) the amount of such qualifying contributions and personal funds that have not been spent before the general election campaign, (ii) any unexpended funds from any grant for a primary campaign authorized under section 9-705, and (iii) the amount of the grant for the general election campaign authorized under section 9-705. The candidate committee of a minor or petitioning party candidate who has received a general election campaign grant from the fund pursuant to section 9-705 shall be permitted to receive contributions in addition to the qualifying contributions subject to the limitations and restrictions applicable to participating candidates for the same office, provided such minor or petitioning party candidate shall limit the expenditures of the candidate committee for a general election campaign to the sum of the qualifying contributions and personal funds, the amount of the general election campaign grant received and the amount raised in additional contributions that is equivalent to the difference between the amount of the applicable general election campaign grant for a major party candidate for such office and the amount of the general election campaign grant received by such minor or petitioning party candidate.

      (d) For the purposes of this chapter, if a qualified candidate committee receives a grant for a primary campaign and has qualifying contributions that have not been spent before the primary campaign, no expenditures by such committee during the primary campaign shall be deemed to have been made from such qualifying contributions until the primary campaign grant funds have been fully spent.

      (e) No grants or moneys paid to a qualified candidate committee from the Citizens' Election Fund under this chapter shall be deemed to be public funds under any other provision of the general statutes or any public or special act unless specifically stated by such provision.

      (Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 3; P.A. 06-137, S. 20; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 2; P.A. 11-139, S. 6.)

      History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 06-137 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re ability of minor or petitioning party candidate to receive contributions in addition to the qualifying contributions, provided such candidate abides by the limitations and restrictions applicable to participating candidates for the same office, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to Sec. 9-705 with reference to Sec. 9-704 and delete provisions re additional moneys under Sec. 9-713 or 9-714 and made technical changes in Subsecs. (d) and (e), effective August 13, 2010; P.A. 11-139 made a technical change in Subsec. (e), effective July 8, 2011.

      Sec. 9-703. Affidavit certifying candidate's intent to abide or not abide by expenditure limits. (a) Each candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, shall file an affidavit with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The affidavit shall include a written certification that the candidate either intends to abide by the expenditure limits under the Citizens' Election Program set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702, or does not intend to abide by said limits. If the candidate intends to abide by said limits, the affidavit shall also include written certifications (1) that the campaign treasurer of the candidate committee for said candidate shall expend any moneys received from the Citizens' Election Fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of section 9-706, (2) that the candidate shall repay to the fund any such moneys that are not expended in accordance with subsection (g) of section 9-607 and said regulations, (3) that the candidate and the campaign treasurer shall comply with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-711, and (4) stating the candidate's status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate and, in the case of a major party or minor party candidate, the name of such party. The written certification described in subdivision (3) of this subsection shall be made by both the candidate and the campaign treasurer of the candidate committee for said candidate. A candidate for nomination or election to any such office shall file such affidavit not later than four o'clock p.m. on the twenty-fifth day before the day of a primary, if applicable, or on the fortieth day before the day of the election for such office, except that in the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative, the candidate shall file such affidavit not later than four o'clock p.m. on the twenty-fifth day before the day of such special election. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a candidate who is not required to form a candidate committee pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 9-604, files a certification with the commission pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-603 and does not intend to participate in the Citizens' Election Program shall not be required to file such affidavit of intent not to abide by the expenditure limits of said program. Any such candidate shall be referred to as a nonparticipating candidate, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

      (b) A candidate who so certifies the candidate's intent to abide by the expenditure limits under the Citizens' Election Program set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 shall be referred to in sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, as a "participating candidate" and a candidate who so certifies the candidate's intent to not abide by said limits shall be referred to in sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, as a "nonparticipating candidate". The commission shall prepare a list of the participating candidates and a list of the nonparticipating candidates and shall make such lists available for public inspection.

      (c) A participating candidate may withdraw from participation in the Citizens' Election Program before applying for an initial grant under section 9-706, by filing an affidavit with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, which includes a written certification of such withdrawal. A candidate who files such an affidavit shall be deemed to be a nonparticipating candidate for the purposes of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, and shall not be penalized for such withdrawal. No participating candidate shall withdraw from participation in the Citizens' Election Program after applying for an initial grant under section 9-706.

      (Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 4; P.A. 06-137, S. 21; P.A. 11-48, S. 291.)

      History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 06-137 amended Subsec. (a) to add language re deadline for filing affidavit if a primary is to be held, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re when candidate is not required to file affidavit and is referred to as a nonparticipating candidate, and by making a technical change, effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

      Sec. 9-704. Qualifying contributions. (a) The amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for grants from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be:

      (1) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, of which two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars or more is contributed by individuals residing in the state. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating such amounts, and (B) all contributions received by (i) an exploratory committee established by said candidate, or (ii) an exploratory committee or candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor who is deemed to be jointly campaigning with a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor under subsection (a) of section 9-709, which meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating such amounts; and

      (2) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of seventy-five thousand dollars, of which sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars or more is contributed by individuals residing in the state. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating such amounts, and (B) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating such amounts.

      (3) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of fifteen thousand dollars, including contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, and (C) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement.

      (4) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state representative for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of five thousand dollars, including contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, and (C) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement.

      (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative for a district, (A) the aggregate amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate for such office shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for a grant from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding amount required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4), and (B) the number of contributions required from individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding number required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4).

      (b) Each individual who makes a contribution of more than fifty dollars to a candidate committee established to aid or promote the success of a participating candidate for nomination or election shall include with the contribution a certification that contains the same information described in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 9-608 and shall follow the same procedure prescribed in said subsection.

      (c) The following shall not be deemed to be qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section and shall be returned by the campaign treasurer of the candidate committee to the contributor or transmitted to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for deposit in the Citizens' Election Fund:

      (1) A contribution from a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor;

      (2) A contribution of less than five dollars, and a contribution of five dollars or more from an individual who does not provide the full name and complete address of the individual;

      (3) A contribution under subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section from an individual who does not reside in the state, in excess of the applicable limit on contributions from out-of-state individuals in subsection (a) of this section; and

      (4) A contribution made by a youth who is less than twelve years of age.

      (d) After a candidate committee receives the applicable aggregate amount of qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section, the candidate committee shall transmit any additional contributions that it receives to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Citizens' Election Fund.

      (e) As used in this section, "principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor" has the same meaning as provided in subsection (g) of section 9-612, and "individual" shall include sole proprietorships.

      (Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 5; P.A. 08-2, S. 16; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 11, 12; P.A. 11-48, S. 292.)

      History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (b) to delete former provision re certification and require certification to contain same information described in Sec. 9-608(c)(3), and procedure prescribed therein to be followed, and amended Subsec. (c) to allow for transmission of nonqualifying contributions to State Elections Enforcement Commission for deposit in Citizens' Election Fund and, in Subdiv. (3), to include contribution of less than $5, effective April 7, 2008; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting former Subdiv. (1) prohibiting contributions from communicator lobbyists and by redesignating existing Subdivs. (2), (3) and (4) as Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3) and amended Subsec. (e) by deleting former Subdivs. (1) and (2) defining "communicator lobbyist" and "immediate family", effective August 13, 2010; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdiv. (4) re contribution made by a youth and amended Subsec. (e) by defining "individual" to include sole proprietorships, effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

      Sec. 9-706. Grant applications and payment. (a)(1) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens' Election Program for a primary campaign, after the close of the state convention of the candidate's party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking, if a primary is required under chapter 153, and (A) said party endorses the candidate for the office that the candidate is seeking, (B) the candidate is seeking nomination to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative and receives at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for the office the candidate is seeking, or (C) the candidate circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for (i) the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative, pursuant to section 9-400, or (ii) the municipal office of state senator or state representative, pursuant to section 9-406, whichever is applicable. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make any such grants to participating candidates in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of this section.

      (2) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens' Election Program for a general election campaign:

      (A) After the close of the state or district convention or municipal caucus, convention or town committee meeting, whichever is applicable, of the candidate's party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking, if (i) said party endorses said candidate for the office that the candidate is seeking and no other candidate of said party files a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400 or 9-406, whichever is applicable, (ii) the candidate is seeking election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative and receives at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for the office the candidate is seeking, no other candidate for said office at such convention either receives the party endorsement or said percentage of said votes for said endorsement or files a certificate of endorsement with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-388 or a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400, and no other candidate for said office circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for said office pursuant to section 9-400, (iii) the candidate is seeking election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative, circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for said office pursuant to section 9-400 and no other candidate for said office at the state or district convention either receives the party endorsement or said percentage of said votes for said endorsement or files a certificate of endorsement with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-388 or a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400, or (iv) the candidate is seeking election to the municipal office of state senator or state representative, circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for the office the candidate is seeking pursuant to section 9-406 and no other candidate for said office at the caucus, convention or town committee meeting either receives the party endorsement or files a certification of endorsement with the town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 9-391;

      (B) After any primary held by such party for nomination for said office, if the Secretary of the State declares that the candidate is the party nominee in accordance with the provisions of section 9-440;

      (C) In the case of a minor party candidate, after the nomination of such candidate is certified and filed with the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-452; or

      (D) In the case of a petitioning party candidate, after approval by the Secretary of the State of such candidate's nominating petition pursuant to section 9-453o.

      (3) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative at a special election in 2008, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens' Election Program for a general election campaign after the close of the district convention or municipal caucus, convention or town committee meeting of the candidate's party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking.

      (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, no participating candidate for nomination or election who changes the candidate's status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate or becomes a candidate of a different party, after filing the affidavit required under section 9-703, shall be eligible to apply for a grant under the Citizens' Election Program for such candidate's primary campaign for such nomination or general election campaign for such election. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply in the case of a candidate who is nominated by more than one party and does not otherwise change the candidate's status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate.

      (b) The application shall include a written certification that:

      (1) The candidate committee has received the required amount of qualifying contributions;

      (2) The candidate committee has repaid all moneys borrowed on behalf of the campaign, as required by subsection (b) of section 9-710;

      (3) The candidate committee has returned any contribution of five dollars or more from an individual who does not include the individual's name and address with the contribution;

      (4) The candidate committee has returned all contributions or portions of contributions that do not meet the criteria for qualifying contributions under section 9-704 and transmitted all excess qualifying contributions to the Citizens' Election Fund;

      (5) The campaign treasurer of the candidate committee will: (A) Comply with the provisions of chapters 155 and 157, and (B) maintain and furnish all records required pursuant to chapters 155 and 157 and any regulation adopted pursuant to such chapters;

      (6) All moneys received from the Citizens' Election Fund will be deposited upon receipt into the depository account of the candidate committee;

      (7) The campaign treasurer of the candidate committee will expend all moneys received from the fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of this section; and

      (8) If the candidate withdraws from the campaign, becomes ineligible or dies during the campaign, the candidate committee of the candidate will return to the commission, for deposit in the fund, all moneys received from the fund pursuant to sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, which said candidate committee has not spent as of the date of such occurrence.

      (c) The application shall be accompanied by a cumulative itemized accounting of all funds received, expenditures made and expenses incurred but not yet paid by the candidate committee as of three days preceding the day the application is filed. Such accounting shall be sworn to under penalty of false statement by the campaign treasurer of the candidate committee. The commission shall prescribe the form of the application and the cumulative itemized accounting. The form for such accounting shall conform to the requirements of section 9-608. Both the candidate and the campaign treasurer of the candidate committee shall sign the application.

      (d) In accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, the commission shall review the application, determine whether (1) the candidate committee for the applicant has received the required qualifying contributions, (2) in the case of an application for a grant from the fund for a primary campaign, the applicant has met the applicable condition under subsection (a) of this section for applying for such grant and complied with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, (3) in the case of an application for a grant from the fund for a general election campaign, the applicant has met the applicable condition under subsection (a) of this section for applying for such moneys and complied with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, and (4) in the case of an application by a minor party or petitioning party candidate for a grant from the fund for a general election campaign, the applicant qualifies as an eligible minor party candidate or an eligible petitioning party candidate, whichever is applicable. If the commission approves an application, the commission shall determine the amount of the grant payable to the candidate committee for the applicant pursuant to section 9-705 from the fund, and notify the State Comptroller and the candidate of such candidate committee, of such amount. If the timing of the commission's approval of the grant in relation to the Secretary of the State's determination of ballot status is such that the commission cannot determine whether the qualified candidate committee is entitled to the applicable full initial grant for the primary or election or the applicable partial grant for the primary or election, as the case may be, the commission shall approve the lesser applicable partial initial grant. The commission shall then authorize the payment of the remaining portion of the applicable grant after the commission has knowledge of the circumstances regarding the ballot status of the opposing candidates in such primary or election. Not later than two business days following notification by the commission, the State Comptroller shall draw an order on the State Treasurer for payment of any such approved amount to the qualified candidate committee from the fund.

      (e) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, on permissible expenditures under subsection (g) of section 9-607 for qualified candidate committees receiving grants from the fund under sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive.

      (f) If a nominated participating candidate dies, withdraws the candidate's candidacy or becomes disqualified to hold the office for which the candidate has been nominated after the commission approves the candidate's application for a grant under this section, the candidate committee of the candidate who is nominated to replace said candidate pursuant to section 9-460 shall be eligible to receive grants from the fund without complying with the provisions of section 9-704, if said replacement candidate files an affidavit under section 9-703 certifying the candidate's intent to abide by the expenditure limits set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 and notifies the commission on a form prescribed by the commission.

      (g) (1) Any application submitted pursuant to this section for a primary or general election shall be submitted in accordance with the following schedule: (A) By five o'clock p.m. on the third Wednesday in May of the year that the primary or election will be held at which such participating candidate will seek nomination or election, or (B) by five o'clock p.m. on any subsequent Wednesday of such year, provided no application shall be accepted by the commission after five o'clock p.m. on or after the fourth to last Friday prior to the primary or election at which such participating candidate will seek nomination or election. Not later than five business days following any such Wednesday or Friday, as applicable, for participating candidates seeking nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, or ten business days following any such Wednesday or Friday, as applicable, for participating candidates seeking nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or, in the event of a national, regional or local emergency or local natural disaster, as soon thereafter as is practicable, the commission shall review any application received by such Wednesday or Friday, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, and determine whether such application shall be approved or disapproved. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, if an application for a general election grant is received during the period beginning at five o'clock p.m. on the Wednesday of the week preceding the week of the last primary application deadline and ending five o'clock p.m. on the last primary application deadline, as set forth in this subsection, the commission shall review such application in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section and determine whether it shall be approved or disapproved not later than five business days or ten business days, as applicable, after the first application deadline following the last primary application deadline. For any such application that is approved, any disbursement of funds by the commission shall be made not later than twelve business days prior to any such primary or general election. From the third week of June in even-numbered years until the third week in July, the commission shall meet twice weekly to determine whether or not to approve applications for grants if there are pending grant applications.

      (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no application for a special election shall be accepted by the commission after five o'clock p.m. on or after ten business days prior to the special election at which such participating candidate will seek election. Not later than three business days following such deadline, or, in the event of a national, regional or local emergency or local natural disaster, as soon thereafter as practicable, the commission shall review any such application received by such deadline, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, and determine whether such application shall be approved or disapproved. For any such application that is approved, any disbursement of funds by the commission shall be made not later than seven business days prior to any such special election.

      (3) The commission shall publish such application review schedules and meeting schedules on the commission's web site and with the Secretary of the State.

      (Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 7; P.A. 06-137, S. 22; P.A. 08-2, S. 17; P.A. 11-48, S. 293, 294.)

      History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 06-137 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to eliminate requirement that at least one other participating candidate for nomination in the primary, from the same party and for the same office as the applicant, has also received the required qualifying contributions or at least one nonparticipating candidate for nomination in the primary, from the same party and for the same office as the applicant, has received an amount of contributions equal to the amount of such qualifying contributions, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to include provision re State Elections Enforcement Commission making grants in accordance with Subsecs. (d) to (g), amended Subsec. (b)(5) to require compliance with and maintenance of records pursuant to chapters 155 and 157, amended Subsec. (c) to provide that accounting is as of 3 days before the applicable deadline in Subsec. (g), amended Subsec. (d) to change deadline for review of applications by commission from not later than 3 business days after receipt to the applicable deadline in Subsec. (g) and add provisions re timing of commission's approval of grant in relation to Secretary of the State's determination of ballot status and added Subsec. (g) re schedule for submission of applications, effective April 7, 2008; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (c) by replacing "before the applicable application deadline contained in subsection (g) of this section" with "preceding the day the application is filed", and amended Subsec. (g) by making technical changes and in Subdiv. (1), by replacing "Thursday" with "Wednesday", by replacing "four business days" with "five business days" re candidates for offices of state senator or state representative, by adding language re ten business days for candidates seeking nomination to offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State and by adding provision re application for general election grant received during certain period, effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

      Sec. 9-712. Supplemental statements. Declaration of excess expenditures statement. (a)(1) The campaign treasurer of each candidate committee in a primary campaign or a general election campaign in which there is at least one participating candidate shall file weekly supplemental campaign finance statements with the commission in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. Such weekly statements shall be in lieu of the campaign finance statements due pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608.

      (2) Each such campaign treasurer shall file weekly supplemental campaign finance statements with the commission pursuant to the following schedule: (A) In the case of a primary campaign, on the next Thursday following the date in July on which treasurers are required to file campaign finance statements pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608 and each Thursday thereafter up to and including the Thursday before the day of the primary, and (B) in the case of a general election campaign, on the next Thursday following the date in October on which candidates are required to file campaign finance statements pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608 and each Thursday thereafter up to and including the Thursday before the day of the election. The statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o'clock p.m. of the second day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover the period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

      (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, if a participating candidate committee in a primary campaign or a general election campaign in which there is at least one participating candidate makes expenditures or incurs an obligation to make expenditures that, in the aggregate, exceed one hundred per cent of the applicable expenditure limit for the applicable primary or general election campaign period, the campaign treasurer of any such candidate committee shall file a declaration of excess expenditures statement with the commission, pursuant to the following schedule: (A) If a candidate committee makes expenditures or incurs an obligation to make such expenditures more than twenty days before the day of such primary or election, the campaign treasurer of such candidate shall file such statement with the commission not later than forty-eight hours after making such expenditures or incurring an obligation to make such expenditures, and (B) if a candidate committee makes such expenditures or incurs an obligation to make such expenditures twenty days or less before the day of such primary or election, the campaign treasurer of such candidate shall file such statement with the commission not later than twenty-four hours after making such expenditures or incurring an obligation to make such expenditures. The statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o'clock p.m. of the first day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover a period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

      (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the statements required to be filed pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not be required to be filed by (A) a candidate committee of a candidate that is exempt from filing campaign finance statements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-608 unless or until such a candidate committee receives or expends an amount in excess of one thousand dollars for purposes of the primary or election for which such committee was formed, or (B) a candidate committee of a participating candidate that is unopposed, except that such candidate committee shall file a supplemental statement on the last Thursday before the applicable primary or general election. Such statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o'clock p.m. of the second day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover a period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

      (5) Each supplemental statement required under subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection for a candidate shall disclose the information required under subsection (c) of section 9-608. The commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, specifying permissible media for the transmission of such statements to the commission, which shall include electronic mail.

      (b) (1) As used in this section, "excess expenditure" means an expenditure made, or obligated to be made, by a nonparticipating or a participating candidate who is opposed by one or more other participating candidates in a primary campaign or a general election campaign, which is in excess of the amount of the applicable limit on expenditures for said participating candidates for said campaign and which is the sum of (A) the applicable qualifying contributions that the participating candidate is required to receive under section 9-704 to be eligible for grants from the Citizens' Election Fund, and (B) one hundred per cent of the applicable full grant amount for a major party candidate authorized under section 9-705 for the applicable campaign period.

      (2) The commission shall confirm whether an expenditure described in a declaration filed under this subsection is an excess expenditure.

      (c) If a campaign treasurer fails to file any statement or declaration required by this section within the time required, said campaign treasurer shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the commission, of not more than one thousand dollars for the first failure to file the statement within the time required and not more than five thousand dollars for any subsequent such failure.

      (Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 13; P.A. 06-137, S. 23; P.A. 08-2, S. 18; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 5; P.A. 11-48, S. 295.)

      History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 06-137 added references to "candidate committee" and "campaign treasurer" and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and redefined "excess expenditure" in Subsec. (b)(1), effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (a) to rewrite provisions of Subdiv. (1) and include therein receipt of contributions, loans or other funds, add new Subdiv. (2) re obligation to make expenditure that, in the aggregate, exceeds 90% of applicable expenditure limit more than 20 days before day of primary or election, redesignate existing Subdiv. (2) as new Subdiv. (3) and amend same to include provision re applicable primary or election more than 5 weeks after date that initial supplemental campaign finance disclosure statement is due and to make conforming changes, add Subdiv. (4) re expenditures that exceed 100%, 125%, 150% or 175% of applicable expenditure limit, redesignate existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (5) and make conforming changes therein, and amended Subsec. (b) to redefine "excess expenditure" for purposes of section and Sec. 9-713 in Subdiv. (1), delete former Subdiv. (2) re declaration of excess expenditures and redesignate existing Subdiv. (3) as new Subdiv. (2), effective April 7, 2008; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete reference to Sec. 9-713, effective August 13, 2010; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing former Subdivs. (1) to (4) with new Subdivs. (1) to (4) re supplemental statements and declaration of excess expenditures statement and, in Subdiv. (5), by making a technical change and by replacing provision re disclosure of candidate's name, amount of contributions, loans or other funds or expenditures with provision requiring disclosure of information required under Sec. 9-608(c), effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.