Section 7. Definitions

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. An applicant candidate becomes a certified candidate upon submittal and the secretary of state determination under Sections 1-19A-4 to 1- 19A-6 NMSA 1978. C. “Election cycle” means the period beginning on January 1 after the last general election and ending on December 31 after the general election.