North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 163. Elections and Election Laws § 163-278.16A. Restriction on use of State funds by declared candidate for Council of State for advertising or public service announcements using their names, pictures, or voices

After December 31 prior to a general election in which a Council of State office will be on the ballot, no declared candidate for that Council of State office shall use or permit the use of State funds for any advertisement or public service announcement in a newspaper, on radio, or on television that contains that declared candidate's name, picture, or voice, except in case of State or national emergency and only if the announcement is reasonably necessary to that candidate's official function. For purposes of this section, “declared candidate” means someone who has publicly announced an intention to run.