§ Ethics Rule 2.78Exploratory Activities

An individual may conduct exploratory activities, such as polling
and other techniques designed exclusively to assist the individual in
making a decision as to whether to seek any state office or offices.
The individual may accept contributions, subject to the limits in
these Rules, and make expenditures limited to exploratory activities
without designating a candidate committee; provided, however, the
individual shall keep or cause to be kept all records required of a
candidate committee. Provided further, once an individual has
accepted or expended more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars
($25,000.00) for exploratory activities for a statewide office or Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for any other state office, the
individual either shall become a candidate and file a Statement of
Organization as required by these Rules, or cease all exploratory
activities. If the individual becomes a candidate and forms a
candidate committee, all contributions received and expenditures made
for exploratory activities shall be subject to maximum contribution
limits and shall be included in the committee’s first Report of
Contributions and Expenditures. No individual may conduct
exploratory activities for a state office or offices as provided in
this section more than one time between regular general elections for
state offices.