political advertisements. (3) Political party The term political party means a major party or a minor party as defined in section 9002 (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 9002 (3) or (4)). 503. Funds to defray costs of postage (a) Availability of payment If a candidate in a general election to the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to the election for such office, the candidate shall be entitled to a payment under this title to defray the costs of postage incurred in connection with the election by authorized committees of the candidate. (b) Amount The amount of the payment made to a candidate under this section to defray the costs of postage shall be equal to the product of— (1) the population of the State (in the case of a candidate for the office of Senator) or the congressional district involved (in the case of a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress), based on the most recent population estimate from the Bureau of the Census