(a) The Board must certify an applicant candidate if the Board finds that the candidate has received the required number of qualifying contributions and the required aggregate total dollars for the office no later than 10 business days after receiving:
(1) a declaration from the candidate agreeing to follow the regulations governing the use of a public contribution;
(2) a campaign finance report that includes:
(A) a list of each qualifying contribution received;
(B) a list of each expenditure made by the candidate during the qualifying period; and
(C) the receipt associated with each contribution and expenditure; and
(3) a certificate of candidacy for a covered office.
(b) The decision by the Board whether to certify a candidate is final.
(c) A candidate may submit only one application for certification for any election. A candidate may correct any mistakes in the application for certification or supplement their application with additional qualifying contributions within the earlier of:
(1) 10 business days after receiving notice that the Board denied the application; or
(2) the end of the qualifying period.
(d) If the Board certifies a candidate, the Board must authorize the Director to disburse a public contribution to the candidate’s publicly funded campaign account.
(e) A candidate that submits a notice of intent under Section 16-20, but fails to qualify as a certified candidate is deemed a non-participating candidate and is not bound by the requirements of this Article. (2014 L.M.C., ch. 28, § 2; 2017 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 31, §1.)