16-961. Definitions

(Caution: 1998 Prop 105 applies)

A. The terms " candidate's campaign committee, " " contribution, " " expenditures, " " exploratory committee, " " independent expenditure, " " personal monies, " " political committee" and " statewide office" are defined in section 16-901.

B. 1. " Election cycle" means the period between successive general elections for a particular office.

2. " Exploratory period" means the period beginning on the day after a general election and ending the day before the start of the qualifying period.

3. " Qualifying period" means the period beginning on the first day of August in a year preceding an election and ending one week before the primary election.

4. " Primary election period" means the nine-week period ending on the day of the primary election.

5. " General election period" means the period beginning on the day after the primary election and ending on the day of the general election.

6. For any recall election, the qualifying period shall begin when the election is called and last for thirty days, there shall be no primary election period and the general election period shall extend from the day after the end of the qualifying period to the day of the recall election. For recall elections, any reference to " general election" in this article shall be treated as if referring to the recall election.

C. 1. " Participating candidate" means a candidate who becomes certified as a participating candidate pursuant to section 16-947.

2. " Nonparticipating candidate" means a candidate who does not become certified as a participating candidate pursuant to section 16-947.

3. Any limitation of this article that is applicable to a participating candidate or a nonparticipating candidate shall also apply to that candidate's campaign committee or exploratory committee.

D. " Commission" means the citizens clean elections commission established pursuant to section 16-955.

E. " Fund" means the citizens clean elections fund defined by this article.

F. 1. " Party nominee" means a person who has been nominated by a political party pursuant to section 16-301 or 16-343.

2. " Independent candidate" means a candidate who has properly filed nominating papers and nominating petitions with signatures pursuant to section 16-341.

3. " Unopposed" means with reference to an election for:

(a) A member of the house of representatives, opposed by no more than one other candidate who has qualified for the ballot and who is running in the same district.

(b) A member of the corporation commission, opposed by a number of candidates who have qualified for the ballot that is fewer than the number of corporation commission seats open at that election and for which the term of office ends on the same date.

(c) All other offices, opposed by no other candidate who has qualified for the ballot and who is running in that district or running for that same office and term.

G. " Primary election spending limits" means:

1. For a candidate for the legislature, twelve thousand nine hundred twenty-one dollars.

2. For a candidate for mine inspector, forty-one thousand three hundred forty-nine dollars.

3. For a candidate for treasurer, superintendent of public instruction or the corporation commission, eighty-two thousand six hundred eighty dollars.

4. For a candidate for secretary of state or attorney general, one hundred sixty-five thousand three hundred seventy-eight dollars.

5. For a candidate for governor, six hundred thirty-eight thousand two hundred twenty-two dollars.

H. " General election spending limits" means amounts fifty per cent greater than the amounts specified in subsection G of this section.

I. 1. " Original" spending limit means a limit specified in subsections G and H of this section, as adjusted pursuant to section 16-959, or a special amount expressly set for a particular candidate by a provision of this title.

2. " Adjusted" spending limit means an original spending limit as further adjusted pursuant to section 16-952.