§ 11-19. Withdrawal.

(a) Certified candidates.

A certified candidate may withdraw an application for a public contribution any time before the public contribution is received by the candidate's publicly funded campaign account.

(b) Participating candidates.

A participating candidate may withdraw from participating if the candidate:

(1) files a statement of withdrawal with the State Board and the Commission on a form that the State Board requires; and

(2) repays to the Fund the full amount of any public contribution received, plus interest accruing from the date of withdrawal at the same rate as the current bank prime loan rate reported by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(c) Personal liability.

If the funds remaining in the participating candidate's publicly funded campaign account at the time of withdrawal are insufficient to repay the Fund under subsection (b) of this section, the candidate is personally liable for repayment.

(d) Reduced repayment.

(1) The Director, in consultation with the Commission, may reduce any repayment under subsection (b) of this section for a participating candidate who must withdraw for health reasons or other cause not within the candidate's control.

(2) In considering a repayment reduction under this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the Commission, may consider the participating candidate's personal financial hardship.