§ 28.01. Definitions of terms.

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

Candidate means any individual for whom it is contemplated or desired that votes may be cast at any primary or election, and who either tacitly or expressly consents to be so considered. An individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for election if he or she has taken the action necessary to qualify himself or herself for nomination of election, has received contributions or made expenditures in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00), or has given his or her implicit or explicit consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00), for the purpose of bringing about his or her nomination or election.

Committee means any personal campaign committee or political committee unless the intent is clearly shown to be otherwise.

Contribution means a transfer of funds or a donation in kind.

"Contribution" includes any loan or advance of credit to a political committee, party committee or personal campaign committee, which loan or advance of credit is forgiven or paid by an entity other than the political committee, or personal campaign committee to which the loan or advance of credit is made. If an advance of credit or a loan is forgiven or paid as provided in this definition, it is a contribution in the year in which the loan or advance of credit is made.

A contribution made for the purpose of defeating a candidate is considered made for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of that candidate or any opponent of that candidate.

"Contribution" does not include services provided without compensation by an individual volunteering his time on behalf of a candidate, ballot question, political committee, personal campaign committee or the publishing or broadcasting of news items or editorial comments by the news media.

Depository means any bank, savings and loan association or credit union organized under federal or state law and transacting business within Minnesota.

Disbursement means every act by or through which any money, property, office, or position or other thing of value passes or is directly or indirectly conveyed, given, promised, paid, expended, pledged, contributed or lent, and also any money, property, office, or position or other thing of value so given, provided, paid, expended, promised, pledged, contributed or lent.

Donation in kind means anything of value other than money or negotiable instruments given by an individual or association to a political committee or personal campaign committee for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate or for the purpose of promoting or defeating a ballot question. "Donation in kind" includes an approved expenditure.

Election means:

(1)

A general, special, primary or runoff election; or

(2)

A convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate.

Person means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization and any other organization or group of persons, including a committee organized for political purposes, which is not included in the definition of "political committee or political fund." Personal campaign committee means any committee appointed by a candidate for any election.

Political committee. Every two (2) or more persons elected or appointed by any major political party or association for the purpose, wholly or partly, of raising, collecting or disbursing money, or directing the raising, collecting or disbursing thereof, for nomination or election purposes, and every two (2) or more persons who shall cooperate in the raising, collecting or disbursing of money used, or to be used for or against the election to public office of any person or any class or number of persons, or for or against the adoption of any law, ordinance, or Charter amendment, or to support, oppose or influence any petition for initiative, referendum or recall shall be deemed a "political committee."

Political fund means any accumulation of dues or voluntary contributions by an association other than a political committee, which accumulation is collected or expended for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate or for the purpose of promoting or defeating a ballot question.

Public office means any elective office as set forth under the Charter of the City of Saint Paul but does not include judges or other officials as are provided by statute.

Political party means an association, committee or organization which nominates and supports a candidate for election to any public office whose name appears on the election ballot as the candidate of such association, committee or organization.

(Code 1956, § 382.01; Ord. No. 17158, 9-10-84; Ord. No. 17257, §§ 1, 2, 7-25-85; Ord. No. 17501, § 1, 10-13-87)