§3-12-12. Restrictions on contributions and expenditures.
(a) A certified candidate or his or her committee may not accept loans or contributions from any private source, including the personal funds of the candidate and the candidate's immediate family, during the primary or general election campaign periods except as permitted by this article.
(b) After filing the declaration of intent and during the qualifying period, a participating candidate may not spend or obligate more than he or she has collected in exploratory and qualifying contributions. After the qualifying period and through the general election campaign period, a certified candidate may spend or obligate any unspent exploratory or qualifying contributions and the moneys he or she receives from the fund under the provisions of section eleven of this article.
(c) A participating or certified candidate may expend exploratory and qualifying contributions and funds received from the fund only for lawful election expenses as provided in section nine, article eight of this chapter. Moneys distributed to a certified candidate from the fund may be expended only during the primary and general election campaign period for which funds were dispersed. Money from the fund may not be used:
(1) In violation of the law;
(2) To repay any personal, family or business loans, expenditures or debts; or
(3) To help any other candidate.
(d) A certified candidate or his or her committee shall return to the fund any unspent and unobligated exploratory contributions, qualifying contributions or moneys received from the fund within forty-eight hours after:
(1) The date on which the candidate ceases to be certified; or
(2) The date on which the individual loses the primary election or otherwise ceases to be a candidate.
(e) Funds remaining unspent or unobligated after the close of the primary election campaign period may be retained by the candidate for use during the general election campaign period but shall be deducted from the amount the candidate is eligible to receive under subsection (b), section eleven of this article.
(f) A certified candidate or his or her committee shall return to the fund any unspent or unobligated public campaign financing funds no later than five business days after the general election.
(g) A contribution from one person may not be made in the name of another person.
(h) A participating or certified candidate or his or her committee receiving qualifying contributions or exploratory contributions from a person not listed on the receipt required by sections eight and nine of this article is liable to the State Election Commission for the entire amount of that contribution and any applicable penalties.
(i) A certified candidate accepting any benefits under the provisions of this article shall continue to comply with all of its provisions throughout the primary election campaign period and general election campaign period.
(j) A participating or certified candidate or his or her financial agent shall provide the Secretary of State with all requested campaign records, including all records of exploratory and qualifying contributions received and campaign expenditures and obligations, and shall fully cooperate with any audit of campaign finances requested or authorized by the State Election Commission.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session