Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account?
Candidates must establish eligibility under section 9033 and receive certification from the Commission to receive matching payments for contributions.
How does the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account work?
Eligible presidential primary candidates can receive matching public funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to defray qualified campaign expenses.
What law authorizes the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account?
The Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account is authorized under IRC §9037 of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).
Statutory Text — IRC §9037
Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code
§ 9037. Payments to eligible candidates(a) Establishment of accountThe Secretary shall maintain in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund established by section 9006(a), in addition to any account which he maintains under such section, a separate account to be known as the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Secretary shall deposit into the matching payment account, for use by the candidate of any political party who is eligible to receive payments under section 9033, the amount available after the Secretary determines that amounts for payments under section 9006(c) and for payments under section 9008(i)(2) are available for such payments.
(b) Payments from the matching payment accountUpon receipt of a certification from the Commission under section 9036, but not before the beginning of the matching payment period, the Secretary shall promptly transfer the amount certified by the Commission from the matching payment account to the candidate. In making such transfers to candidates of the same political party, the Secretary shall seek to achieve an equitable distribution of funds available under subsection (a), and the Secretary shall take into account, in seeking to achieve an equitable distribution, the sequence in which such certifications are received.
(Added Pub. L. 93–443, title IV, § 408(c), Oct. 15, 1974, 88 Stat. 1300; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 113–94, § 2(b)(2), Apr. 3, 2014, 128 Stat. 1085.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–94 substituted “section 9008(i)(2)” for “section 9008(b)(3)”.
1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” in three places.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective DateSection applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1974, see section 410(c)(1) of Pub. L. 93–443, set out as an Effective Date of 1974 Amendment note under section 30101 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.