; and (C) has either qualified or will take steps to qualify under State law to be on the ballot. (b) General election Notwithstanding subsection (a), a candidate shall not be eligible to be certified as a participating candidate under this title for a general election or a general runoff election unless the candidate’s party nominated the candidate to be placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate is otherwise qualified to be on the ballot under State law. (c) Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period Defined The term Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period means, with respect to any candidate for an office, the 180-day period (during the election cycle for such office) which begins on the date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1), except that such period may not continue after the date that is 30 days before the date of the general election for the office. 512. Qualifying requirements (a) Receipt of qualified small dollar contributions from in-State residents A candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress meets the requirement of this section if, during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period described in section 511(c), each of the following occurs: (1) Not fewer than 1,000 individuals who are residents of the State in which the candidate seeks election make a qualified small dollar contribution to the candidate. (2) The candidate obtains a total dollar amount of qualified small dollar contributions from individuals who are residents of the State in which the candidate seeks election which is equal to or greater than $50,000. (b) Requirements relating to receipt of qualified small dollar contribution Each qualified small dollar contribution— (1) may be made by means of a personal check, money order, debit card, credit card, electronic payment account, or any other method deemed appropriate by the Commission