Hartford — Two of the four candidates seeking to fill the vacant 39th House District seat in New London have qualified for a $21,112.50 campaign grant through the State Election Enforcement Commission’s Citizens’ Election Program.

The SEEC, at a special meeting on Wednesday, voted to approve grant payments to Republican candidate Kat Goulart and Democratic candidate Anthony Nolan. Various candidates running in special elections in the 99th House District and in the 3rd, 5th and 6th Senate Districts also qualified.

Goulart and Nolan, along with Green Party candidate Mirna Martinez and petitioning candidate Jason Catala, are seeking to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Chris Soto, who left his position in the state House of Representatives to work for Gov. Ned Lamont's administration. The vote will be held on Feb. 26.

The CEP is a voluntary program that allows qualifying candidates for the General Assembly and statewide offices to receive full public financing in regular and special elections.

To qualify for public campaign financing, candidates must demonstrate they have adequate support from the public. In special elections, major party candidates for state representative must raise $3,800 in small contributions from at least 113 individuals residing in municipalities in their district. The maximum contribution is $250 — and no contributions from state contractors or PACs.

Rules are different for minor party and petitioning candidates. Minor party candidates can demonstrate public support either through prior vote totals or through petitioning. Petitioning candidates may qualify for a grant through the petition process.

The CEP was designed, in part, to reduce the influence of special interests in state politics.

Editor's note: This version clarifies that rules to qualify for the Citizens’ Election Program are different for minor party and petitioning candidates.