Section 1-19A-2 - Definitions. - New Mexico Statutes

1-19A-2. Definitions.

As used in the Voter Action Act [1-19A-1 NMSA 1978]:  

A.     "applicant candidate" means a candidate who is running for a covered office and who is seeking to be a certified candidate in a primary or general election;  

B.     "certified candidate" means a candidate running for a covered office who chooses to obtain financing pursuant to the Voter Action Act and is certified as a Voter Action Act candidate;  

C.     "contested election" means an election in which there are more candidates for a position than the number to be elected to that position;  

D.     "covered office" means any office of the  judicial department subject to statewide elections and the office of public regulation commissioner;  

E.     "election cycle" means the primary and general elections for the same term of the same covered office, beginning on the day after the last general election for the office and ending with the general election; the primary election cycle begins on the first day of the election cycle and ends on the day of the primary election; the general election begins on the day after the primary election and ends on the day of the general election;  

F.     "fund" means the public election fund;  

G.     "noncertified candidate" means either a candidate running for a covered office who does not choose to participate in the Voter Action Act and who is not seeking to be a certified candidate or a candidate who files a declaration of intent to participate but who fails to qualify; 

H.     "qualifying contribution" means a donation of five dollars ($5.00) in the form of cash or a check or money order payable to the fund in support of an applicant candidate that is: 

(1)     made by a registered voter who is eligible to vote for the covered office that the applicant candidate is seeking; 

(2)     made during the designated qualifying period and obtained through efforts made with the knowledge and approval of the applicant candidate; and 

(3)     acknowledged by a receipt that identifies the contributor's name and residential address on forms provided by the bureau of elections and that is signed by the contributor, one copy of which is attached to the list of contributors and sent to the bureau of elections;   

I.     "qualifying period" means:

(1)     for major party applicant candidates for covered offices, the period beginning October 1 immediately preceding the election year and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of March of the election year; and 

(2)     for independent and minor party candidates, the period beginning February 1 of the election year and ending that year at 5:00 p.m. on the filing date for independent or minor party candidates for the office for which the candidate is running;  

J.     "secretary" means the secretary of state or the office of the secretary of state; and  

K.     "seed money" means a contribution raised for the primary purpose of enabling applicant candidates to collect qualifying contributions and petition signatures.