Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 260 § 260.005 — Definitions

Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1)(a) “Candidate” means: (A) An individual whose name is printed on a ballot, for whom a declaration of candidacy, nominating petition or certificate of nomination to public office has been filed or whose name is expected to be or has been presented, with the individual’s consent, for nomination or election to public office; (B) An individual who has solicited or received and accepted a contribution, made an expenditure, or given consent to an individual, organization, political party or political committee to solicit or receive and accept a contribution or make an expenditure on the individual’s behalf to secure nomination or election to any public office at any time, whether or not the office for which the individual will seek nomination or election is known when the solicitation is made, the contribution is received and retained or the expenditure is made, and whether or not the name of the individual is printed on a ballot; or (C) A public office holder against whom a recall petition has been completed and filed. (b) For purposes of this section and ORS 260.035 to 260.156, “candidate” does not include a candidate for the office of precinct committeeperson. (2) “Committee director” means any person who directly and substantially participates in decision-making on behalf of a political committee concerning the solicitation or expenditure of funds and the support of or opposition to candidates or measures. The officers of a political party shall be considered the directors of any political party committee of that party, unless otherwise provided in the party’s bylaws. (3) Except as provided in ORS 260.007, “contribute” or “contribution” includes: (a) The payment, loan, gift, forgiving of indebtedness, or furnishing without equivalent compensation or consideration, of money, services other than personal services for which no compensation is asked or given, supplies, equipment or any other thing of value: (A) For the purpose of influencing an election for public office or an election on a measure, or of reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination or election to public office or the debt of a political committee; or (B) To or on behalf of a candidate, political committee or measure; and (b) The excess value of a contribution made for compensation or consideration of less than equivalent value. (4) “Controlled committee” means a political committee that, in connection with the making of contributions or expenditures: (a) Is controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate or a controlled committee; or (b) Acts jointly with a candidate or controlled committee. (5) “Controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate” means: (a) The candidate, the candidate’s agent, a member of the candidate’s immediate family or any other political committee that the candidate controls has a significant influence on the actions or decisions of the political committee; or (b) The candidate’s principal campaign committee and the political committee both have the candidate or a member of the candidate’s immediate family as a treasurer or director. (6) “County clerk” means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections. (7) “Elector” means an individual qualified to vote under Article II, section 2, of the Oregon Constitution. (8) Except as provided in ORS 260.007, “expend” or “expenditure” includes the payment or furnishing of money or anything of value or the incurring or repayment of indebtedness or obligation by or on behalf of a candidate, political committee or person in consideration for any services, supplies, equipment or other thing of value performed or furnished for any reason, including support of or opposition to a candidate, political committee or measure, or for reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination or election to public office. “Expenditure” also includes contributions made by a candidate or political committee to or on behalf of any other candidate or political committee. (9) “Filing officer” means: (a) The Secretary of State: (A) Regarding a candidate for public office; (B) Regarding a statement required to be filed under ORS 260.118; (C) Regarding any measure; or (D) Regarding any political committee. (b) In the case of an irrigation district formed under ORS chapter 545, “filing officer” means: (A) The county clerk, regarding any candidate for office or any measure at an irrigation district formation election where the proposed district is situated wholly in one county; (B) The county clerk of the county in which the office of the secretary of the proposed irrigation district will be located, regarding any candidate for office or any measure at an irrigation district formation election where the proposed district is situated in more than one county; or (C) The secretary of the irrigation district for any election other than an irrigation district formation election. (10) “In