reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.10 - Procedure for inactive candidate or committee.

§ 163-278.10. Procedure for inactive candidate or committee.
If no contribution is received or expenditure made by or on behalf of a candidate, political committee, or referendum committee during a period described in G.S. 163-278.9, the treasurer shall file with the Board, at the time required by G.S. 163-278.9, a statement to that effect and it shall not be required that any inactive candidate or committee so filing a report of inactivity file any additional reports required by G.S. 163-278.9 so long as the candidate or committee remains inactive. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1979, c. 1073, s. 20; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.10A - Threshold of $1,000 for financial reports for certain candidates.

§ 163-278.10A. Threshold of $1,000 for financial reports for certain candidates.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, a candidate for a county office, municipal office, local school board office, soil and water conservation district board of supervisors, or sanitary district board shall be exempted from the reports of contributions, loans, and expenditures required in G.S. 163-278.9(a), 163-278.40B, 163-278.40C, 163-278.40D, and 163-278.40E if to further the candidate's campaign that candidate:
(1) Does not receive more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in contributions, and
(2) Does not receive more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in loans, and
(3) Does not spend more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
To qualify for the exemption from those reports, the candidate's treasurer shall file a certification that the candidate does not intend to receive in contributions or loans or expend more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) to further the candidate's campaign. The certification shall be filed with the Board at the same time the candidate files the candidate's Organizational Report as required in G.S. 163-278.7, G.S. 163-278.9, and G.S. 163-278.40A. If the candidate's campaign is being conducted by a political committee which is handling all contributions, loans, and expenditures for the candidate's campaign, the treasurer of the political committee shall file a certification of intent to stay within the threshold amount. If the intent to stay within the threshold changes, or if the one-thousand-dollar ($1,000) threshold is exceeded, the treasurer shall immediately notify the Board and shall be responsible for filing all reports required in G.S. 163-278.9 and 163-278.40B, 163-278.40C, 163-278.40D, and 163-278.40E; provided that any contribution, loan, or expenditure which would have been required to be reported on an earlier report but for this section shall be included on the next report required after the intent changes or the threshold is exceeded.
(b) The exemption from reporting in subsection (a) of this section applies to political party committees and affiliated party committees under the same terms as for candidates, except that the term "to further the candidate's campaign" does not relate to a political party committee's or an affiliated party committee's exemption, and all contributions, expenditures, and loans during an election shall be counted against the threshold amount for a political party committee or an affiliated committee. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1028, s. 2; c. 1081, s. 3; 1989, c. 449; c. 770, s. 53; 1997-515, s. 4(e); 2001-235, s. 3; 2009-534, s. 5; 2015-258, s. 3(f); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.13C - Campaign contributions prohibition.

§ 163-278.13C. Campaign contributions prohibition.
(a) No lobbyist may make a contribution as defined in G.S. 163-278.6 to a candidate or candidate campaign committee as defined in G.S. 163-278.38Z when that candidate meets any of the following criteria:
(1) Is a legislator as defined in G.S. 120C-100.
(2) Is a public servant as defined in G.S. 138A-3(30)a and G.S. 120C-104.
(b) No lobbyist may do any of the following with respect to a candidate or candidate campaign committee described in subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section:
(1) Collect a contribution or multiple contributions from one or more contributors intended for that candidate or candidate campaign committee.
(2) Take possession of a contribution or multiple contributions intended for that candidate or candidate campaign committee.
(3) Transfer or deliver a collected contribution or multiple contributions to the intended candidate or candidate campaign committee.
(c) This section shall not apply to a lobbyist, who has filed a notice of candidacy for office under G.S. 163-106 or Article 11 of this Chapter or has been nominated under G.S. 163-114 or G.S. 163-98, making a contribution to that lobbyist's candidate campaign committee.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term "lobbyist" shall mean an individual registered as a lobbyist under Chapter 120C of the General Statutes. (2006-201, s. 18; 2007-347, s. 5(a), (b); 2008-213, s. 86; 2013-381, s. 47.1(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.14 - No contributions in names of others; no anonymous contributions; contributions in excess of fifty dollars; no contribution without specific designation of contributor.

§ 163-278.14. No contributions in names of others; no anonymous contributions; contributions in excess of fifty dollars; no contribution without specific designation of contributor.
(a) No individual, political committee, or other entity shall make any contribution anonymously or in the name of another. No candidate, political committee, referendum committee, political party, affiliated party committee, or treasurer shall knowingly accept any contribution made by any individual or person in the name of another individual or person or made anonymously. If a candidate, political committee, referendum committee, political party, affiliated party committee, or treasurer receives anonymous contributions or contributions determined to have been made in the name of another, he shall pay the money over to the Board, by check, and all such moneys received by the Board shall be deposited in the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund of the State of North Carolina. This subsection shall not apply to any contribution by an individual with the lawful authority to act on behalf of another individual, whether through power of attorney, trustee, or other lawful authority.
(b) No entity shall make, and no candidate, committee or treasurer shall accept, any monetary contribution in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) unless such contribution is in the form of a check, draft, money order, credit card charge, debit, or other noncash method that can be subject to written verification. No contribution in the form of check, draft, money order, credit card charge, debits, or other noncash method may be made or accepted unless it contains a specific designation of the intended contributee chosen by the contributor. The State Board may prescribe guidelines as to the reporting and verification of any method of contribution payment allowed under this Article. For contributions by money order, the State Board of Elections shall prescribe methods to ensure an audit trail for every contribution so that the identity of the contributor can be determined. For a contribution made by credit card, the credit card account number of a contributor is not a public record.
(c) No political committee or referendum committee shall make any contribution unless in doing so it reports to the recipient the contributor's name as required in G.S. 163-278.7(b)(1). (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1979, c. 1073, s. 19; 1987, c. 113, s. 2; 1999-453, s. 4(a); 2001-319, s. 10(a); 2002-159, s. 55(k); 2004-125, s. 5(b); 2005-430, s. 1; 2006-195, ss. 1, 5.2; 2007-484, s. 23; 2010-169, s. 6(b); 2015-258, s. 3(j); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.14A - Evidence that communications are "to support or oppose the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates."

§ 163-278.14A. Evidence that communications are "to support or oppose the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates."
(a) The following shall be means of proving that an individual or other entity acted "to support or oppose the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates": presenting evidence of financial sponsorship of communications to the general public that use phrases such as "vote for", "reelect", "support", "cast your ballot for", "(name of candidate) for (name of office)", "(name of candidate) in (year)", "vote against", "defeat", "reject", "vote pro-(policy position)" or "vote anti-(policy position)" accompanied by a list of candidates clearly labeled "pro-(policy position)" or "anti-(policy position)", or communications of campaign words or slogans, such as posters, bumper stickers, advertisements, etc., which say "(name of candidate)'s the One", "(name of candidate) '98", "(name of candidate)!", or the names of two candidates joined by a hyphen or slash.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a communication shall not be subject to regulation as a contribution or expenditure under this Article if it:
(1) Appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, or magazine, unless those facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, affiliated party committee, or political committee;
(2) Is distributed by a corporation solely to its stockholders and employees; or
(3) Is distributed by any organization, association, or labor union solely to its members or to subscribers or recipients of its regular publications, or is made available to individuals in response to their request, including through the Internet. (1999-453, s. 3(a); 2008-150, s. 6(b); 2015-258, s. 3(k); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.15 - No acceptance of contributions made by corporations, foreign and domestic, or other prohibited sources.

§ 163-278.15. No acceptance of contributions made by corporations, foreign and domestic, or other prohibited sources.
(a) No candidate, political committee, political party, affiliated party committee, or treasurer shall accept any contribution made by any corporation, foreign or domestic, regardless of whether such corporation does business in the State of North Carolina, or made by any business entity, labor union, professional association, or insurance company. This section does not apply with regard to entities permitted to make contributions by G.S. 163-278.19(h).
(b) A candidate or political committee may accept a contribution knowing that the contribution is the proceeds of a loan made in the ordinary course of business by a financial institution if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The full amount of the loan is secured by collateral placed, or by guaranties given, by one or more individuals or entities who are not prohibited by this Article from making contributions to the candidate or political committee. The value of the collateral posted by each individual or entity, or the amount of each guaranty, may not exceed the contribution limitations applicable under this Article to each individual or entity. The value of collateral posted may exceed the contribution limitations applicable under this Article in cases where the amount of the loan secured by that collateral does not exceed the contribution limitations applicable to the individual or entity.
(2) During the time that any loan remains outstanding and unpaid, then the value of any collateral posted, or the amount of each guaranty, for that loan shall be considered to be a contribution by the individual or entity securing the loan. If the loan, or any portion of the loan, is repaid to the financial institution by the candidate or political committee to whom the loan was made during the contribution limitation period for the same "election" as defined in G.S. 163-278.13(e) in which the loan was made, the individual or entity securing the loan shall be eligible to further contribute to that candidate or political committee up to the amount of the repayment. If multiple individuals or entities secured the loan that is repaid to the financial institution by the candidate or political committee, then the amount repaid shall be prorated amongst the multiple individuals or entities.
(3) If the loan is to the candidate or political committee, only the candidate, the candidate's spouse, or the political committee to whom the loan was made may repay the loan.
The State Board of Elections shall develop forms for reporting the proceeds of loans in a full and accurate manner. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1999-31, s. 5(e); 2006-195, s. 6; 2006-262, s. 4.1(c); 2015-258, s. 3(l); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.16 - Regulations regarding timing of contributions and expenditures.

§ 163-278.16. Regulations regarding timing of contributions and expenditures.
Except as provided in G.S. 163-278.6(74) and G.S. 163-278.12, no contribution may be received or expenditure made by or on behalf of a candidate, political committee, or referendum committee:
(1) Until the candidate, political committee, or referendum committee appoints a treasurer and certifies the name and address of the treasurer to the Board; and
(2) Unless the contribution is received or the expenditure made by or through the treasurer of the candidate, political committee, or referendum committee. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1975, c. 565, s. 2; 1979, c. 500, s. 4; c. 1073, ss. 19, 20; 1987, c. 652; 1997-515, s. 13.1(a); 1999-31, ss. 1(d), 4(b); 1999-453, s. 2(b); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.16A - Restriction on use of State funds by declared candidate for Council of State for advertising or public service announcements using their names, pictures, or voices.

§ 163-278.16A. Restriction on use of State funds by declared candidate for Council of State for advertising or public service announcements using their names, pictures, or voices.
After December 31 prior to a general election in which a Council of State office will be on the ballot, no declared candidate for that Council of State office shall use or permit the use of State funds for any advertisement or public service announcement in a newspaper, on radio, or on television that contains that declared candidate's name, picture, or voice, except in case of State or national emergency and only if the announcement is reasonably necessary to that candidate's official function. For purposes of this section, "declared candidate" means someone who has publicly announced an intention to run. (1997-515, s. 13(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.16B - Use of contributions for certain purposes.

§ 163-278.16B. Use of contributions for certain purposes.
(a) A candidate or candidate campaign committee may use contributions only for the following purposes:
(1) Expenditures resulting from the campaign for public office by the candidate or candidate's campaign committee.
(2) Expenditures resulting from holding public office.
(3) Donations to an organization described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. § 170(c)), provided that the candidate or the candidate's spouse, children, parents, brothers, or sisters are not employed by the organization.
(4) Contributions to a national, State, or district or county committee of a political party or a caucus of the political party or an affiliated party committee.
(5) Contributions to another candidate or candidate's campaign committee.
(6) To return all or a portion of a contribution to the contributor.
(7) Payment of any penalties against the candidate or candidate's campaign committee for violation of this Article imposed by a board of elections or a court of competent jurisdiction.
(8) Payment to the Escheat Fund established by Chapter 116B of the General Statutes.
(9) Legal expense donation not in excess of four thousand dollars ($4,000) per calendar year to a legal expense fund established pursuant to Article 22M of this Chapter.
(b) As used in this section, the term "candidate campaign committee" means the same as in G.S. 163-278.38Z(3).
(c) Contributions made to a candidate or candidate campaign committee do not become a part of the personal estate of the individual candidate. The candidate may file with the board a written designation of those funds that directs to which of the permitted uses in subsection (a) of this section those funds shall be paid in the event of the death or incapacity of the candidate. If the candidate fails to file the written designation before death, the personal representative of the estate may file the written designation within 90 days of the date of death, and may only direct those funds to donations under subdivision (a)(3) of this section. After the payment of permitted outstanding debts of the account, the candidate's filed written designation shall control. If the candidate files no such written designation, the funds after payment of permitted outstanding debts shall be distributed in accordance with subdivision (a)(8) of this section. (2006-161, s. 1; 2007-391, s. 30; 2008-187, s. 33(a); 2008-213, s. 87; 2009-534, s. 2(h); 2010-100, s. 1; 2015-258, s. 3(m); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.17 - Statements of media outlets regarding political advertising.

§ 163-278.17. Statements of media outlets regarding political advertising.
(a) Each media outlet shall require written authority for each expenditure from each candidate, treasurer or individual making or authorizing an expenditure. A candidate may authorize advertisement paid for by a treasurer appointed by the candidate. All written authorizations of expenditures signed by a candidate, treasurer or individual shall be deemed public records and copies of those written authorizations shall be available for inspection during normal business hours at the office(s) of the media outlet making the publication or broadcast nearest to the place(s) of publication or broadcast.
(b) Each media outlet shall require written authority for each independent expenditure or electioneering communication from each individual, person, or entity making or authorizing an independent expenditure or electioneering communication. All written authorizations of independent expenditures or electioneering communications shall be deemed public records, and copies of those written authorizations shall be available for inspection during normal business hours at the office(s) of the media outlet making the publication or broadcast nearest to the place(s) of publication or broadcast. The written authorization shall include all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the individual, person, or entity making the independent expenditure or electioneering communication.
(2) The information required by G.S. 163-278.39(a), provided however that the provisions of G.S. 163-278.39(a)(7) and (a)(8) shall not apply to radio or television advertising. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1975, c. 565, s. 3; 1979, c. 500, ss. 5, 6; c. 1073, s. 9; 1985, c. 183, ss. 1, 2; 2010-170, s. 4; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.18 - Normal commercial charges for political advertising.

§ 163-278.18. Normal commercial charges for political advertising.
(a) No media and no supplier of materials or services shall charge or require a candidate, treasurer, political party, affiliated party committee, or individual to pay a charge for advertising, materials, space, or services purchased for or in support of or in opposition to any candidate, political committee, or political party that is higher than the normal charge it requires other customers to pay for comparable advertising, materials, space, or services purchased for other purposes.
(b) A newspaper, magazine, or other advertising medium shall not charge any candidate, treasurer, political committee, political party, or individual for any advertising for or in support of or in opposition to any candidate, political committee or political party at a rate higher than the comparable rate charged to other persons for advertising of comparable frequency and volume; and every candidate, treasurer, political party or individual, with respect to political advertising, shall be entitled to the same discounts afforded by the advertising medium to other advertisers under comparable conditions and circumstances. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1977, c. 856; 2015-258, s. 3(n); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.19A - Contributions allowed.

§ 163-278.19A. Contributions allowed.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, it is lawful for any person as defined in G.S. 163-278.6(72) to contribute to a referendum committee. (1979, c. 1073, s. 7; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.21 - Promulgation of policy and administration through State Board of Elections.

§ 163-278.21. Promulgation of policy and administration through State Board of Elections.
The State Board of Elections shall have responsibility, adequate staff, equipment and facilities, for promulgating all regulations necessary for the enforcement and administration of this Article and to prevent the circumvention of the provisions of this Article. The State Board of Elections shall empower the Executive Director with the responsibility for the administrative operations required to administer this Article and may delegate or assign to him such other duties from time to time by regulations or orders of the State Board of Elections. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1975, c. 798, s. 7; 1999-453, s. 5(c); 2001-319, s. 11; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.24 - Statements examined within four months.

§ 163-278.24. Statements examined within four months.
Within four months after the date of each election or referendum, the Executive Director shall examine or cause to be examined each statement filed with the Board under this Article, and, referring to the election or referendum, determine whether the statement conforms to law and to the truth. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1979, c. 500, s. 8; c. 1073, s. 14; 1985, c. 183, s. 3; 2001-319, s. 11; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.25 - Issuance of declaration of nomination or certificate of election.

§ 163-278.25. Issuance of declaration of nomination or certificate of election.
No declaration of nomination and no certificate of election shall be granted to any candidate until the candidate or his treasurer has filed the statements referring to the election he is required to file under this Article. Within 24 hours after reaching a decision that a declaration of nomination or certificate of election should not be granted, the Board shall give written notice of that decision, by telegraph or certified mail, to the candidate and the candidate's treasurer. Failure to grant certification shall not affect a successful candidate's title to an office to which he has been otherwise duly elected. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.26 - Appeals from State Board of Elections; early docketing.

§ 163-278.26. Appeals from State Board of Elections; early docketing.
Any candidate for nomination or election who is denied a declaration of nomination or certificate of election, pursuant to G.S. 163-278.25, may, within five days after the action of the Board under that section, appeal to the Superior Court of Wake County for a final determination of any questions of law or fact which may be involved in the Board's action. The cause shall be entitled "In the Matter of the Candidacy of . . . . . . . . ." It shall be placed on the civil docket of that court and shall have precedence over all other civil actions. In the event of an appeal, the chairman of the Board shall certify the record to the clerk of that court within five days after the appeal is noted.
The record on appeal shall consist of all reports filed by the candidate or his treasurer with the Board pursuant to this Article, and a memorandum of the Board setting forth with particularity the reasons for its action in denying the candidate a declaration of nomination or certificate of election. Written notice of the appeal shall be given to the Board by the candidate or his attorney, and may be effected by mail or personal delivery. On appeal, the cause shall be heard de novo. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.28 - Issuance of injunctions; special prosecutors named.

§ 163-278.28. Issuance of injunctions; special prosecutors named.
(a) The superior courts of this State shall have jurisdiction to issue injunctions or grant any other equitable relief appropriate to enforce the provisions of this Article upon application by any registered voter of the State.
(b) If the Board makes a report to a district attorney under G.S. 163-278.27 and no prosecution is initiated within 45 days after the report is made, any registered voter of the prosecutorial district to whose district attorney a report has been made, or any board of elections in that district, may, by verified affidavit, petition the superior court for that district for the appointment of a special prosecutor to prosecute the individuals or persons who have or who are believed to have violated any section of this Article. Upon receipt of a petition for the appointment of a special prosecutor, the superior court shall issue an order to show cause, directed at the individuals or persons alleged in the petition to be in violation of this Article, why a special prosecutor should not be appointed. If there is no answer to the order, the court shall appoint a special prosecutor. If there is an answer, the court shall hold a hearing on the order, at which both the petitioning and answering parties may be heard, to determine whether a prima facie case of a violation and failure to prosecute exists. If there is such a prima facie case, the court shall so find and shall thereupon appoint a special prosecutor to prosecute the alleged violators. The special prosecutor shall take the oath required of assistant district attorneys by G.S. 7A-63, shall serve as an assistant district attorney pro tem of the appropriate district, and shall prosecute the alleged violators. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1979, c. 500, s. 11; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.29 - Compelling self-incriminating testimony; individual so testifying excused from prosecution.

§ 163-278.29. Compelling self-incriminating testimony; individual so testifying excused from prosecution.
No individual shall be excused from attending or testifying or producing any books, papers, or other documents before any court upon any proceeding or trial of another for the violation of any of the provisions of this Article, upon the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him may tend to incriminate him, but such individual may be subpoenaed and required to testify by and for the State relative to any offense arising under the provisions of this Article; but such individual shall not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he may be compelled to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, and no compelled testimony so given or produced shall be used against him upon any criminal proceeding, but such individual so compelled to testify with respect to any acts of his own shall be immune from prosecution on account thereof. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.30 - Candidates for federal offices to file information reports.

§ 163-278.30. Candidates for federal offices to file information reports.
Candidates for nomination in a party primary or for election in a general or special election to the offices of United States Senator, member of the United States House of Representatives, President or Vice-President of the United States shall file with the Board all reports they or political committee treasurers or other agents acting for them are required to file under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, P.L. 92-225, as amended (T. 2, U.S.C. section 439). Those reports shall be filed with the Board at the times required by that act. The Board shall, with respect to those reports, have the following duties only:
(1) To receive and maintain in an orderly manner all reports and statements required to be filed with it;
(2) To preserve reports and statements filed under the Federal Election Campaign Act. Such reports and statements, after a period of two years following the election year, may be transferred to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, and shall be preserved for a period of 10 years or for such period as may be required by federal law;
(3) To make the reports and statements filed with it available for public inspection and copying during regular office hours, commencing as soon as practicable but not later than the end of the day during which they were received, and to permit copying of any such report or statement by hand or by duplicating machine, requested by any individual, at the expense of such individual; and
(4) To compile and maintain a current list of all statements or parts of statements pertaining to each candidate.
Any duty of a candidate to file and the State Board to receive and make available under this section may be met by an agreement between the State Board and the Federal Election Commission, the effect of which is for the Federal Election Commission to provide promptly to the State Board the information required by this section. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1979, c. 500, s. 14; 2002-159, s. 55(l); 2015-241, s. 14.30(s); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.32 - Statements under oath.

§ 163-278.32. Statements under oath.
Any statement required to be filed under this Article shall be signed and certified as true and correct by the individual, media, candidate, treasurer or others required to file it, and shall be certified as true and correct to the best of the knowledge of the individual, media, candidate, treasurer or others filing the statement; provided further that the candidate shall certify as true and correct to the best of his knowledge the organizational report and appointment of treasurer filed for the candidate or the candidate's principal campaign committee. A certification under this Article shall be treated as under oath, and any person making a certification under this Article knowing the information to be untrue is guilty of a Class I felony. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 1999-426, s. 10(a); 2001-235, s. 1; 2007-391, s. 1(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.33 - Applicability of Article 22.

§ 163-278.33. Applicability of Article 22.
Sections 163-271 through 163-278 shall be applicable to the offices covered by this Article and G.S. 163-271 through 163-278 shall be applicable to all elective offices not covered by this Article. (1973, c. 1272, s. 3; 1975, c. 50; c. 565, s. 10; 2002-159, s. 21(f); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.34A - Presumptions.

§ 163-278.34A. Presumptions.
In any proceeding brought pursuant to this Article in which a presumption arises from the proof of certain facts, the defendant may offer some evidence to rebut the presumption, but the State bears the ultimate burden of proving the essential elements of its case. (1999-31, s. 1(c); 1999-453, s. 3.1(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.35 - Preservation of records.

§ 163-278.35. Preservation of records.
All reports, records and accounts required by this Article to be made, kept, filed, or maintained by any individual, media, candidate or treasurer shall be preserved and retained by the individual, media, candidate or treasurer for at least two years counting from the date of the election to which such reports, records and accounts refer. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.37 - County boards of elections to preserve reports.

§ 163-278.37. County boards of elections to preserve reports.
The county boards of elections shall preserve all reports and statements filed with them pursuant to this Article for such period of time as directed by the State Board. (1979, c. 500, s. 15; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.38 - Effect of failure to comply.

§ 163-278.38. Effect of failure to comply.
The failure to comply with the provisions of this Article shall not invalidate the results of any referendum. (1979, c. 1073, s. 11; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.38Z - Definitions.

§ 163-278.38Z. Definitions.
As used in this Part:
(1) "Advertisement" means any message appearing in the print media, on television, or on radio that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under this Article.
(2) "Candidate" means any individual who, with respect to a public office listed in G.S. 163-278.6(80), has filed a notice of candidacy, notice of retention, or a petition requesting to be a candidate, or has been certified as a nominee of a political party for a vacancy, or has otherwise qualified as a candidate in a manner authorized by law, or has filed a statement of organization under G.S. 163-278.7 and is required to file periodic financial disclosure statements under G.S. 163-278.9.
(3) "Candidate campaign committee" means any political committee organized by or under the direction of a candidate, except for an affiliated party committee as defined in G.S. 163-278.6(1).
(4) "Full-screen" means the only picture appearing on the television screen during the oral disclosure statement contains the disclosing person, that the picture occupies all visible space on the television screen, and that the image of the disclosing person occupies at least fifty percent (50%) of the vertical height of the television screen.
(5) "Political action committee" has the same meaning as "political committee" in G.S. 163-278.6(74), except that "political action committee" does not include any political party, political party organization, or affiliated party committee.
(6) "Political party organization" means any political party executive committee or any political committee that operates under the direction of a political party executive committee or political party chair, or any affiliated party committee.
(7) "Print media" means billboards, cards, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, mass mailings, pamphlets, fliers, periodicals, and outdoor advertising facilities.
(8) "Radio" means any radio broadcast station that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
(9) "Scan line" means a standard term of measurement used in the electronic media industry calculating a certain area in a television advertisement.
(10) "Sponsor" means a candidate, candidate committee, political party organization, political action committee, referendum committee, individual, or other entity that purchases an advertisement.
(11) "Television" means any television broadcast station, cable television system, wireless-cable multipoint distribution system, satellite company, or telephone company transmitting video programming that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
(12) "Unobscured" means the only printed material that may appear on the television screen is a visual disclosure statement required by law, and nothing is blocking the view of the disclosing person's face. (1999-453, s. 2(a); 2004-203, s. 12(a); 2010-170, s. 7; 2015-66, s. 8(b); 2015-258, s. 3(q); 2015-264, s. 81(f); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › §§ 163-278.39B. Recodified as G.S. 163-278.38Z by Session Laws 2004-203, s. 12(a), effective August 17, 2004.

§ 163-278.39B. Recodified as G.S. 163-278.38Z by Session Laws 2004-203, s. 12(a), effective August 17, 2004.
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.39C - Scope of disclosure requirements.

§ 163-278.39C. Scope of disclosure requirements.
The disclosure requirements of this Part apply to any sponsor of an advertisement in the print media or on radio or television the cost or value of which constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under this Article, except that the disclosure requirements of this Part:
(1) Do not apply to an individual who makes uncoordinated independent expenditures aggregating less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in a political campaign; and
(2) Do not apply to an individual who incurs expenses with respect to a referendum.
The disclosure requirements of this Part do not apply to any advertisement the expenditure for which is required to be disclosed by G.S. 163-278.12A alone and by no other law. (1999-453, s. 2(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40 - Definitions.

§ 163-278.40. Definitions.
When used in this Part, words and phrases have the same meaning as in G.S. 163-278.6, except that:
(1) The term "board" means the county board of elections; [and]
(2) The term "city" means any incorporated city, town, or village. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1997-515, s. 4(d); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40A - Organizational report.

§ 163-278.40A. Organizational report.
(a) Each candidate and political committee in a city election shall appoint a treasurer and, under verification, report the name and address of the treasurer to the board. A candidate may appoint himself or any other individual, including any relative except his spouse, as his treasurer. If the candidate fails to designate a treasurer, the candidate shall be deemed to have appointed himself as treasurer. A candidate or political committee may remove his or its treasurer.
(b) The organizational report shall state the bank account and number of such campaign fund. Each report required by this Part shall reflect all contributions, expenditures and loans made in behalf of a candidate. The organizational report shall be filed with the county board of elections within 10 days after the candidate files a notice of candidacy with the county board of elections, or within 10 days following the organization of the political committee, whichever occurs first. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40B - Campaign report; partisan election.

§ 163-278.40B. Campaign report; partisan election.
In any city election conducted on a partisan basis in accordance with G.S. 163-279(a)(2) and G.S. 163-291, the following reports shall be filed in addition to the organizational report:
(1) Thirty-five-day Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 35 days before the primary.
(2) Pre-primary Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board no later than the tenth day preceding each primary election.
(3) Pre-election Report. – The treasurer shall file a report 10 days before the election, unless a second primary is held and the candidate appeared on the ballot in the second primary, in which case the report shall be filed 10 days before the second primary.
(4) Semiannual Reports. – If contributions are received or expenditures made during any part of a calendar year, for which no reports are otherwise required by this section, any and all those contributions and expenditures shall be reported on semiannual reports due on the last Friday in July, covering the period through June 30, and due on the last Friday in January, covering the period through December 31 of the previous year. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1985, c. 164, s. 2; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1028, s. 7; 2001-419, s. 3; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40C - Campaign report; nonpartisan election and runoff.

§ 163-278.40C. Campaign report; nonpartisan election and runoff.
If any city election conducted under the nonpartisan election and runoff basis in accordance with G.S. 163-279(a)(4) and [G.S.] 163-293, the following reports shall be filed in addition to the organizational report:
(1) Thirty-five-day Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 35 days before the election.
(2) Pre-election Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 10 days before the election.
(3) Pre-runoff Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 10 days before the runoff if the candidate is in a runoff.
(4) Semiannual Reports. – If contributions are received or expenditures made during any part of a calendar year, for which no reports are otherwise required by this section, any and all those contributions and expenditures shall be reported on semiannual reports due on the last Friday in July, covering the period through June 30, and due on the last Friday in January, covering the period through December 31 of the previous year. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1985, c. 164, s. 3; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1028, s. 8; 2001-419, s. 4; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40D - Campaign report; nonpartisan primary and elections.

§ 163-278.40D. Campaign report; nonpartisan primary and elections.
In any city election conducted under the nonpartisan primary method in accordance with G.S. 163-279(a)(3) and G.S. 163-294, the following reports shall be filed in addition to the organizational report:
(1) Thirty-five-day Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 35 days before the primary if the candidate is in a primary or the same length of time before the election if the candidate is not in a primary.
(2) Pre-primary and Pre-election Reports. – The treasurer shall file a report 10 days before the primary if the candidate is in a primary and 10 days before the election.
(3) Semiannual Reports. – If contributions are received or expenditures made during any part of a calendar year, for which no reports are otherwise required by this section, any and all those contributions and expenditures shall be reported on semiannual reports due on the last Friday in July, covering the period through June 30, and due on the last Friday in January, covering the period through December 31 of the previous year. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1985, c. 164, s. 4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1028, s. 9; 2001-419, s. 5; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40E - Campaign report; nonpartisan plurality.

§ 163-278.40E. Campaign report; nonpartisan plurality.
In any city election conducted under the nonpartisan plurality method under G.S. 163-279(a)(1) and [G.S.] 163-292, the following reports shall be filed in addition to the organizational report:
(1) Thirty-five-day Report. – The treasurer shall file a report with the board 35 days before the election.
(2) Pre-election Report. – The treasurer shall file a report 10 days before the election.
(3) Semiannual Reports. – If contributions are received or expenditures made during any part of a calendar year, for which no reports are otherwise required by this section, any and all those contributions and expenditures shall be reported on semiannual reports due on the last Friday in July, covering the period through June 30, and due on the last Friday in January, covering the period through December 31 of the previous year. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1985, c. 164, s. 5; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1028, s. 10; 2001-419, s. 6; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)