Payments for goods and services used during both periods must be prorated. The matching funds system establishes limits on the maximum public funds available to each qualified candidate in the primary and in the runoff elections. Contributions from non-individuals may be used to meet the qualifying threshold, but they are not eligible to be matched with matching funds. Sources of non-individual contributions include businesses, PACs, unions, and other organizations. In addition, loans, pledges, non-monetary contributions, or any contribution received from the candidate or from his or her immediate family may not be matched.
Immediate family is defined as spouse and dependent children.
If a candidate has met all qualifying requirements, he or she may file a matching funds payment request with the City Ethics Commission. The Commission staff reviews each request and certifies the amount of matching funds to be received. The staff then authorizes the Office of the Controller to make a matching funds payment to the candidate in the qualifying amount. The City Ethics Commission will issue payments no later than three working days after a candidate files a request with the Commission. All matching funds received by the candidate or his or her committee as a result of such a claim must be returned to the Commission.