§ 11-18. Use of public contribution.

(a) In general.

A participating candidate may only make expenditures from the publicly funded campaign account registered with the State Board for expenses incurred directly for the election after the candidate is certified.

(b) Previous expenses or loans.

A participating candidate may not use any portion of a public contribution to pay for expenses or loans incurred prior to being certified.

(c) Advance payment.

A participating candidate may not pay in advance for goods and services to be used after certification with non-qualifying contributions received before applying for certification.

(d) Reduction of public contribution.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Director must reduce the public contribution to a participating candidate's publicly funded campaign account by the total amount of all expenditures made after the end of the previous election cycle from the candidate's non-participating campaign account.

(2) Expenditures made with contributions received prior to the end of the previous election cycle towards debts accrued before the end of the previous election cycle may not reduce the public contribution to a participating candidate's publicly funded campaign account.

(e) Additional standards.

(1) A participating candidate may not use a public contribution for:

(i) personal expenses;

(ii) expenses related to holding public office;

(iii) paying for a personal endorsement; or

(iv) paying for late filing fees.

(2) A participating candidate may not use a public contribution to :

(i) contribute to current or future candidates for elective offices other than the one being sought by the participating candidate; or

(ii) contribute to any entity or organization, such as a political party.

(3) The Director, in consultation with the Commission, shall determine whether an expense is a permissible use of a public contribution, and the Director's determination is final.

(f) Allegations of a prohibited act.

A complaint alleging a prohibited receipt or use of funds by a participating candidate must be filed with the State Board.

(g) Access to records.

(1) On request by the Commission, a participating candidate must provide the Commission with reasonable access to the financial records of the candidate's publicly funded campaign account.

(2) A participating candidate must keep all records for a period of 4 years after the election to which the documents relate.

(3) The records must be retained by the campaign treasurer unless the State Board has been notified otherwise.