,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aagf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #cj1 #bjae,mr4 ,udall introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf to reform the system of public financing for ,presidential elections1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,empowering ,mass ,participation to ,offset the ,wealthy's ,electoral ,role ,act of #bjae or the ,,empower ,act of #bjae4 7b7 ,table of ,contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,title ,i--,primary ,elections,sec4 #aja4 ,increase in and modifications to matching payments4,sec4 #ajb4 ,eligibility requirements for matching payments4,sec4 #ajc4 ,inflation adjustments4,sec4 #ajd4 ,repeal of expenditure limitations4,sec4 #aje4 ,period of availability of matching payments4,sec4 #ajf4 ,examination and audits of matchable contributions4,sec4 #ajg4 ,modification to limitation on contributions for ,presidential primary candidates4,title ,,ii--,general ,elections,sec4 #bja4 ,modification of eligibility requirements for public financing4,sec4 #bjb4 ,repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified campaign contributions4,sec4 #bjc4 ,matching payments and other modifications to payment amounts4,sec4 #bjd4 ,inflation adjustments4,sec4 #bje4 ,increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures4,sec4 #bjf4 ,establishment of uniform date for release of payments4,sec4 #bjg4 ,amounts in ,presidential ,election ,campaign ,fund4,sec4 #bjh4 ,use of general election payments for general election legal and accounting compliance4,title ,,iii--,severability2 ,effective ,date,sec4 #cja4 ,severability4,sec4 #cjb4 ,effective date4 ,i ,primary ,elections #aja4 ,increase in and modifications to matching payments 7a7 ,increase and modification 7#a7 ,in general ,the first sentence of section #ijcd7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended-- 7,a7 by striking an amount equal to the amount of each contribution and inserting an amount equal to #fjj percent of the amount of each matchable contribution 7disregarding any amount of contributions from any person to the extent that the total of the amounts contributed by such person for the election exceeds #bej72 and 7,b7 by striking authorized committees and all that follows through #bej and inserting authorized committees4 7#b7 ,matchable contributions ,section #ijcd of such ,code is amended-- 7,a7 by striking the last sentence of subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following new subsection3 7c7 ,matchable contribution defined ,for purposes of this section and section #ijcc7;b7-- 7#a7 ,matchable contribution ,the term matchable contribution means1 with respect to the nomination for election to the office of ,president of the ,united ,states1 a contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that-- 7,a7 the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions 7including such matchable contribution7 to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of #a1jjj for the election2 7,b7 such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 7including such matchable contribution7 aggregating more than the amount described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,c7 such contribution was not-- 7i7 forwarded from the contributor from any person other than an individual1 or 7ii7 received by the candidate or committee from a contributor or contributors1 but credited by the committee or candidate to another person who is not an individual through records1 designations1 or other means of recognizing 7whether in writing or not in writing7 that a certain amount of money has been raised by such person4 7#b7 ,contribution ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term contribution means a gift of money made by a written instrument which identifies the individual making the contribution by full name and mailing address1 but does not include a subscription1 loan1 advance1 or deposit of money1 or anything of value or anything described in subparagraph 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 of section #ijcb7d74 4 7#c7 ,conforming amendments 7,a7 ,section #ijcb7d7 of such ,code is amended by striking section #ijcd7;a7 and inserting section #ijcd4 7,b7 ,section #ijcc7;b77#c7 of such ,code is amended by striking matching contributions and inserting matchable contributions4 7b7 ,modification of payment limitation ,section #ijcd7;b7 of such ,code is amended by striking shall not exceed and all that follows and inserting shall not exceed #cjj1jjj1jjj4 #ajb4 ,eligibility requirements for matching payments 7a7 ,amount of aggregate contributions per ,state2 disregarding of amounts contributed in excess of #bej ,section #ijcc7;b77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended-- 7#a7 by striking #e1jjj and inserting #be1jjj2 and 7#b7 by striking #bj ,states and inserting the following3 #bj ,states 7disregarding any amount of contributions from any such resident to the extent that the total of the amounts contributed by such resident for the election exceeds #bej74 7b7 ,contribution limit 7#a7 ,in general ,paragraph 7#d7 of section #ijcc7;b7 of such ,code is amended to read as follows3 7#d7 the candidate and the authorized committees of the candidate will not accept aggregate contributions from any person with respect to the nomination for election to the office of ,president of the ,united ,states in excess of #a1jjj for the election4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendments 7,a7 ,section #ijcc7;b7 of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new flush sentence3 ,for purposes of paragraph 7#d71 the term contribution has the meaning given such term in section #cja7h7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga4 4 7,b7 ,section #ijcb7d7 of such ,code1 as amended by section #aja7;a77#c77;,a7 is amended by inserting or #ijcc7;b7 after #ijcd4 7c7 ,ban on acceptance of bundled contributions ,section #ijcc7;b7 of such ,code1 as amended by subsection 7b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting 1 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 the candidate and the authorized committee of the candidate will not accept any bundled contribution 7as defined in section #cjd7;i77#h77 forwarded by or credited to a person described in section #cjd7;i77#g74 4 7d7 ,participation in system for payments for general election ,section #ijcc7;b7 of such ,code1 as amended by subsection 7c71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#d72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#e7 and inserting 1 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 if the candidate is nominated by a political party for election to the office of ,president1 the candidate will apply for and accept payments with respect to the general election for such office in accordance with chapter #ie4 4 #ajc4 ,inflation adjustments ,section #ijcc of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,inflation adjustments 7#a7 ,in general ,in the case of any applicable period beginning after #bjae1 each of the dollar amounts described in paragraph 7#d7 shall be increased by an amount equal to-- 7,a7 such dollar amount1 multiplied by 7,b7 the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section #a7;f77#c7 for the calendar year following the year which such applicable period begins1 determined by substituting calendar year #bjae for calendar year #aiib in subparagraph 7,b7 thereof4 7#b7 ,applicable period ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term applicable period means the #d-year period beginning with the first day following the date of the last general election for the office of ,president and ending on the date of the next such general election4 7#c7 ,rounding ,if any amount as adjusted under paragraph 7#a7 is not a multiple of #ajj1 such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of #ajj4 7#d7 ,amounts described ,the dollar amounts described in this paragraph are each of the dollar amounts in the following provisions of this chapter3 7,a7 ,subsection 7b7 of this section 7relating to the requirements with respect to contributions received and accepted by eligible candidates74 7,b7 ,section #ijcd7;a7 and #ijcd7;c7 7relating to the determinations and definition of matchable contribution74 7,c7 ,section #ijcd7;b7 7relating to the limitation on the total amount of payments to which a candidate may be entitled74 7,d7 ,section #ijce7;a7 7relating to the limitation on the amount of expenditures a candidate may make from personal funds74 4 #ajd4 ,repeal of expenditure limitations 7a7 ,in general ,subsection 7a7 of section #ijce of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,personal expenditure limitation ,no candidate shall knowingly make expenditures from his personal funds1 or the personal funds of his immediate family1 in connection with his campaign for nomination for election to the office of ,president in excess of1 in the aggregate1 #ej1jjj4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,paragraph 7#a7 of section #ijcc7;b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7#a7 the candidate will comply with the personal expenditure limitation under section #ijce1 4 #aje4 ,period of availability of matching payments ,section #ijcb7f7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking the beginning of the calendar year in which a general election for the office of ,president of the ,united ,states will be held and inserting the date that is #f months prior to the date of the earliest ,state primary election4 #ajf4 ,examination and audits of matchable contributions ,section #ijch7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by inserting and matchable contributions accepted by after qualified campaign expenses of4 #ajg4 ,modification to limitation on contributions for ,presidential primary candidates ,section #cae7;a77#f7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;a77#f77 is amended by striking calendar year and inserting four-year election cycle4 ,,ii ,general ,elections #bja4 ,modification of eligibility requirements for public financing ,subsection 7a7 of section #ijjc of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,in general ,in order to be eligible to receive any payments under section #ijjf1 the candidates of a political party in a presidential election shall meet the following requirements3 7#a7 ,participation in primary payment system ,the candidate for ,president received payments under chapter #if for the campaign for nomination for election to be ,president4 7#b7 ,agreements with ,commission ,the candidates1 in writing-- 7,a7 agree to obtain and furnish to the ,commission such evidence as it may request of the qualified campaign expenses of such candidates1 7,b7 agree to keep and furnish to the ,commission such records1 books1 and other information as it may request1 and 7,c7 agree to an audit and examination by the ,commission under section #ijjg and to pay any amounts required to be paid under such section4 7#c7 ,ban on certain contributions and solicitations ,the candidates certify to the ,commission1 under penalty of perjury1 the following3 7,a7 ,bundled contributions ,such candidates and the authorized committees of such candidates will not accept any bundled contribution 7as defined in section #cjd7;i77#h77 forwarded by or credited to a person described in section #cjd7;i77#g74 7,b7 ,solicitations for joint fundraising committees ,such candidates and their authorized committees will not1 after ,june #a of the election year1 solicit any funds for any joint fundraising committee that includes any committee of a political party4 7,c7 ,solicitation for political parties ,such candidates and their authorized committees will not1 after ,june #a of the year in which the election is held1 solicit any funds for any committee of a political party4 ,such certification shall be made within such time prior to the day of the presidential election as the ,commission shall prescribe by rules or regulations4 4 #bjb4 ,repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified campaign contributions 7a7 ,use of qualified campaign contributions without expenditure limits2 application of same requirements for major1 minor1 and new parties ,section #ijjc of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking subsections 7b7 and 7c7 and inserting the following3 7b7 ,use of qualified campaign contributions ,to defray expenses 7#a7 ,in general ,in order to be eligible to receive any payments under section #ijjf1 the candidates of a party in a presidential election shall certify to the ,commission1 under penalty of perjury1 that-- 7,a7 such candidates and their authorized committees have not and will not accept any contributions to defray qualified campaign expenses other than-- 7i7 qualified campaign contributions1 and 7ii7 contributions to the extent necessary to make up any deficiency payments received out of the fund on account of the application of section #ijjf7;c71 and 7,b7 such candidates and their authorized committees have not and will not accept any contribution to defray expenses which would be qualified campaign expenses but for subparagraph 7,c7 of section #ijjb7aa74 7#b7 ,timing of certification ,the candidate shall make the certification required under this subsection at the same time the candidate makes the certification required under subsection 7a77#c74 4 7b7 ,definition of qualified campaign contribution ,section #ijjb of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ac7 ,qualified campaign contribution ,the term qualified campaign contribution means1 with respect to any election for the office of ,president of the ,united ,states1 a contribution from an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate which-- 7,a7 is made after ,june #a of the year in which the election is held2 7,b7 does not exceed #a1jjj for the election2 and 7,c7 with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that-- 7i7 the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions 7including such qualified contribution7 to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of the amount described in subparagraph 7,b71 and 7ii7 such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 7including such qualified contribution7 aggregating more than the amount described in subparagraph 7,b7 with respect to such election4 4 7c7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,repeal of expenditure limits 7,a7 ,in general ,section #cae of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7 is amended by striking subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,conforming amendments ,section #cae7;c7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77 is amended-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a77;,b77i71 by striking 1 7b72 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b77;,b77i71 by striking subsections 7b7 and 7d7 and inserting subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,repeal of repayment requirement 7,a7 ,in general ,section #ijjg7;b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#c71 7#d71 and 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d71 respectively4 7,b7 ,conforming amendment ,paragraph 7#b7 of section #ijjg7;b7 of such ,code1 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,a71 is amended-- 7i7 by striking a major party and inserting a party2 7ii7 by inserting qualified contributions and after contributions 7other than2 and 7iii7 by striking 7other than qualified campaign expenses with respect to which payment is required under paragraph 7#b774 7#c7 ,criminal penalties 7,a7 ,repeal of penalty for excess expenses ,section #ijab of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,penalty for acceptance of disallowed contributions2 application of same penalty for candidates of major1 minor1 and new parties ,subsection 7b7 of section #ijab of such ,code is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,contributions 7#a7 ,acceptance of disallowed contributions ,it shall be unlawful for an eligible candidate of a party in a presidential election or any of his authorized committees knowingly and willfully to accept any contribution to defray qualified campaign expenses1 except to the extent necessary to make up any deficiency in payments received out of the fund on account of the application of section #ijjf7;c71 or to defray expenses which would be qualified campaign expenses but for subparagraph 7,c7 of section #ijjb7aa74 7#b7 ,penalty ,any person who violates paragraph 7#a7 shall be fined not more than #e1jjj1 or imprisoned not more than one year1 or both4 ,in the case of a violation by an authorized committee1 any officer or member of such committee who knowingly and willfully consents to such violation shall be fined not more than #e1jjj1 or imprisoned not more than one year1 or both4 4 #bjc4 ,matching payments and other modifications to payment amounts 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,amount of payments2 application of same amount for candidates of major1 minor1 and new parties ,subsection 7a7 of section #ijjd of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,in general ,subject to the provisions of this chapter1 the eligible candidates of a party in a presidential election shall be entitled to equal payment under section #ijjf in an amount equal to #fjj percent of the amount of each matchable contribution received by such candidate or by the candidate's authorized committees 7disregarding any amount of contributions from any person to the extent that the total of the amounts contributed by such person for the election exceeds #bej71 except that total amount to which a candidate is entitled under this paragraph shall not exceed #cjj1jjj1jjj4 4 7#b7 ,repeal of separate limitations for candidates of minor and new parties ,section #ijjd of such ,code is amended by striking subsection 7b74 7#c7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ijje7;a7 of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,the ,commission shall make such additional certifications as may be necessary to receive payments under section #ijjd44 7b7 ,matchable contribution ,section #ijjb of such ,code1 as amended by section #bjb1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ad7 ,matchable contribution ,the term matchable contribution means1 with respect to the election to the office of ,president of the ,united ,states1 a contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that-- 7,a7 the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions 7including such matchable contribution7 to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of #a1jjj for the election2 7,b7 such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 7including such matchable contribution7 aggregating more than the amount described in subparagraph 7,a7 with respect to such election2 and 7,c7 such contribution was not-- 7i7 forwarded from the contributor from any person other than an individual1 or 7ii7 received by the candidate or committee from a contributor or contributors1 but credited by the committee or candidate to another person who is not an individual through records1 designations1 or other means of recognizing 7whether in writing or not in writing7 that a certain amount of money has been raised by such person4 4 #bjd4 ,inflation adjustments ,section #ijjd of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,inflation adjustments 7#a7 ,in general ,in the case of any applicable period beginning after #bjag1 each of the dollar amounts described in paragraph 7#d7 shall be increased by an amount equal to-- 7,a7 such dollar amount2 multiplied by 7,b7 the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section #a7;f77#c7 for the calendar year following the year which such applicable period begins1 determined by substituting calendar year #bjaf for calendar year #aiib in subparagraph 7,b7 thereof4 7#b7 ,applicable period ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term applicable period means the #d-year period beginning with the first day following the date of the last general election for the office of ,president and ending on the date of the next such general election4 7#c7 ,rounding ,if any amount as adjusted under paragraph 7#a7 is not a multiple of #ajj1 such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of #ajj4 7#d7 ,amounts described ,the dollar amounts described in this paragraph are each of the dollar amounts in the following provisions of this chapter3 7,a7 ,section #ijjb7ac7 7relating to the definition of qualified campaign contribution74 7,b7 ,section #ijjb7ad7 7relating to the definition of matchable contribution74 7,c7 ,subsection 7a7 of this section 7relating to the limitation on the total amount of payments to which a candidate may be entitled74 4 #bje4 ,increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures 7a7 ,in ,general ,section #cae7;d77#b7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;d77#b77 is amended to read as follows3 7#b7 7,a7 ,the national committee of a political party may not make any expenditure in connection with the general election campaign of any candidate for ,president of the ,united ,states who is affiliated with such party which exceeds #ajj1jjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,for purposes of this paragraph-- 7i7 any expenditure made by or on behalf of a national committee of a political party and in connection with a presidential election shall be considered to be made in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for ,president of the ,united ,states who is affiliated with such party2 and 7ii7 any communication made by or on behalf of such party shall be considered to be made in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for ,president of the ,united ,states who is affiliated with such party if any portion of the communication is in connection with such election4 7,c7 ,any expenditure under this paragraph shall be in addition to any expenditure by a national committee of a political party serving as the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the office of ,president of the ,united ,states4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments relating to timing of cost-of-,living adjustment 7#a7 ,in general ,section #cae7;c77#a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#a771 as amended by section #bjb7;d77#a77;,b71 is amended-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 7d7 and inserting 7d77#c72 and 7,b7 by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 ,in any calendar year after #bjag-- 7i7 the dollar amount in subsection 7d77#b7 shall be increased by the percent difference determined under subparagraph 7,a72 7ii7 the amount so increased shall remain in effect for the calendar year2 and 7iii7 if the amount after adjustment under clause 7i7 is not a multiple of #ajj1 such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of #ajj4 4 7#b7 ,base year ,section #cae7;c77#b77;,b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#b77;,b771 as amended by section #bjb7;d77#a77;,b71 is amended-- 7,a7 in clause 7i7-- 7i7 by striking 7d7 and inserting 7d77#c72 and 7ii7 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7iii7 for purposes of subsection 7d77#b71 calendar year #bjaf4 4 #bjf4 ,establishment of uniform date for release of payments 7a7 ,date for payments 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ijjf7;b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,payments from the ,fund ,if the ,secretary of the ,treasury receives a certification from the ,commission under section #ijje for payment to the eligible candidates of a political party1 the ,secretary shall pay to such candidates out of the fund the amount certified by the ,commission on the later of-- 7#a7 the last ,friday occurring before the first ,monday in ,september2 or 7#b7 #bd hours after receiving the certifications for the eligible candidates of all major political parties4 ,amounts paid to any such candidates shall be under the control of such candidates4 4 7#b7 ,conforming ,amendment ,the first sentence of section #ijjf7;c7 of such ,code is amended by striking the time of a certification by the ,commission under section #ijje for payment and inserting the time of making a payment under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,time for certification ,section #ijje7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking #aj days and inserting #bd hours4 #bjg4 ,amounts in ,presidential ,election ,campaign ,fund 7a7 ,determination of amounts in fund ,section #ijjf7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,in making a determination of whether there are insufficient moneys in the fund for purposes of the previous sentence1 the ,secretary shall take into account in determining the balance of the fund for a ,presidential election year the ,secretary's best estimate of the amount of moneys which will be deposited into the fund during the year1 except that the amount of the estimate may not exceed the average of the annual amounts deposited in the fund during the previous #c years44 7b7 ,special rule for first campaign cycle under this ,act 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ijjf of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,special authority ,to borrow 7#a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subsection 7c71 there are authorized to be appropriated to the fund1 as repayable advances1 such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the fund during the period ending on the first presidential election occurring after the date of the enactment of this subsection4 7#b7 ,repayment of advances 7,a7 ,in general ,advances made to the fund shall be repaid1 and interest on such advances shall be paid1 to the general fund of the ,treasury when the ,secretary determines that moneys are available for such purposes in the fund4 7,b7 ,rate of interest ,interest on advances made to the fund shall be at a rate determined by the ,secretary of the ,treasury 7as of the close of the calendar month preceding the month in which the advance is made7 to be equal to the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the ,united ,states with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the anticipated period during which the advance will be outstanding and shall be compounded annually4 4 7#b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by this subsection shall take effect ,january #a1 #bjaf4 #bjh4 ,use of general election payments for general election legal and accounting compliance ,section #ijjb7aa7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 an expense incurred by a candidate or authorized committee for general election legal and accounting compliance purposes shall be considered to be an expense to further the election of such candidate44 ,,iii ,severability2 ,effective ,date #cja4 ,severability ,if any provision of this ,act or amendment made by this ,act1 or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance1 is held to be unconstitutional1 the remainder of this ,act and amendments made by this ,act1 and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance1 shall not be affected by the holding4 #cjb4 ,effective date ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 the amendments made by this ,act shall apply with respect to elections occurring after ,january #a1 #bjaf4