Prior to certification, may a candidate distribute signs, bumper stickers and other campaign material?
Response: A candidate may distribute signs, bumper stickers and other campaign material up to certification. However, once the candidate is certified, Section 9 of Act 244 provides that the candidate cannot accept for use any campaign material purchased or held from a date prior to filing the “Declaration of Intent to Seek Comprehensive Public Funds.” Pursuant to section 37, “a date prior” begins July 1, 2008, the date Act 244 was effective. Therefore, campaign material purchased or held between July 1, 2008 and the date of filing the “Declaration of Intent to Seek Comprehensive Public Funds” cannot be accepted for use once the candidate is certified. After a candidate is certified, any campaign material purchased or held between July 1, 2008 and the date of filing the “Declaration of Intent to Seek Comprehensive Public Funds” that is under the control of the candidate, including coordination with the candidate, cannot be accepted for use. Campaign material not under the control of the
