To qualify for funding, a candidate must be certified as a participating candidate and must also obtain the requisite number of qualifying contributions. In order to be certified as a participating candidate, a candidate must file the required paperwork with the Secretary of State. The Commission has the authority to deny a certification application for good cause. Once certified, the candidate must, within a specified time, submit to the Secretary of State a list of people who gave the candidate qualifying contributions, the reporting slips for each qualifying contribution, and an amount of money equal to the sum of the qualifying contributions the candidate received. The Secretary of State selects a random sample of the contributors and faxes the selected reporting slips to the counties for verification.
Funding is contingent on the outcome of the verification process.
To receive funding during a party primary, the candidate must also properly file nominating papers and petitions. To receive funding during the general election, the candidate must be the party nominee or an independent candidate. Once these requirements are met, the Commission must provide funding to the candidates as prescribed in statute. The Commission is authorized and obligated to enforce the Act. Although the Commission is generally responsible for enforcement, the Secretary of State also has a number of responsibilities under the Act.