The period covered by the aggregation requirement in O.C.G.A. § 21-5-31(a) is the same as those for the candidate under O.C.G.A. § 21-5-32, § 21-5-34(b)(c)(d)(e) and § 21-5-34(a)(3)(4). The amount of $500.00 is exceeded when more than $500.00 has been expended in a particular election, regardless of how many candidates are involved or how many years the spending period encompasses.