For purposes of this chapter:

(1) The term “election” means an official general or special election to choose a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, but that term does not include a primary election, or a caucus or convention of a political party.

(2) The term “candidate” means an individual (A) whose name is printed on the official ballot for election to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, or (B) notwithstanding his name is not printed on such ballot, who seeks election to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress by write-in votes, provided that he is qualified for such office and that, under the law of the State in which the congressional district is located, write-in voting for such office is permitted and he is eligible to receive write-in votes in such election.

(3) The term “contestant” means an individual who contests the election of a Member of the House of Representatives under this chapter.

(4) The term “contestee” means a Member of the House of Representatives whose election is contested under this chapter.

(5) The term “Member of the House of Representatives” means an incumbent Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, or an individual who has been elected to such office but has not taken the oath of office.

(6) The term “Clerk” means the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(7) The term “committee” means the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives.

(8) The term “State” means a State of the United States and any territory or possession of the United States.

(9) The term “write-in vote” means a vote cast for a person whose name does not appear on the official ballot by writing in the name of such person on such ballot or by any other method prescribed by the law of the State in which the election is held.

(Pub. L. 91–138, § 2, Dec. 5, 1969, 83 Stat. 284; Pub. L. 104–186, title II, § 211(1), (2), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1743, 1744.)