Voting Access and Process, including Election Reform and Redistricting
SB336 - Elections, political parties and independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced, Secs.17-6-22,17-9-3 am’d
Sponsor(s): Senator Ward
Synopsis and Analysis: Under existing law, to gain ballot access, an independent candidate for office must file a written petition signed by at least three percent of the qualified electors who cast ballots for the office of Governor in the last general election.
This bill would reduce the number of signatures of qualified electors required for political parties and independent candidates for statewide office to gain ballot access.
This bill would alter the time frame in which a political party may submit signatures in order for a candidate for statewide office to gain ballot access.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. LWV is “dedicated to ensuring that our elections remain, free, fair and accessible.” Making it less cumbersome for third party candidates to run for office in a state that is primarily dominated by a single political party may bring more independent voters into government and create a more open government.
Bill Progress in Legislature
Go here to get more information about the bill and changes in the bill as it progresses through the legislature.
SB336 - Elections, political parties and independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced, Secs.17-6-22,17-9-3 am’d
Sponsor(s): Senator Ward
Synopsis and Analysis: Under existing law, to gain ballot access, an independent candidate for office must file a written petition signed by at least three percent of the qualified electors who cast ballots for the office of Governor in the last general election.
This bill would reduce the number of signatures of qualified electors required for political parties and independent candidates for statewide office to gain ballot access.
This bill would alter the time frame in which a political party may submit signatures in order for a candidate for statewide office to gain ballot access.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. LWV is “dedicated to ensuring that our elections remain, free, fair and accessible.” Making it less cumbersome for third party candidates to run for office in a state that is primarily dominated by a single political party may bring more independent voters into government and create a more open government.
Bill Progress in Legislature
Go here to get more information about the bill and changes in the bill as it progresses through the legislature.
| Calendar Date | Body | Amd/Sub | Matter | Committee | Nay | Yea | Abstain | Vote |
| 04/30/2019 | S | Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary | JUDY | | | | |
Contact information for legislators and committees that might be referenced in this bill:
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