This bill aims to revise laws related to primary elections and nominations, specifically focusing on the signature gathering requirements for independent candidates and minor parties seeking nomination to public office. Key changes include the adjustment of signature requirements from being based on the total votes cast for the successful candidate in the last general election to being based on the total registered voters or voter turnout in that election. For independent candidates and minor parties, the required number of signatures is now set at 5% of the total registered voters or a maximum of 15,000 electors, whichever is less. Additionally, candidates or political parties must pay a $15 signature-gathering fee before circulating petition sheets.

The bill also clarifies that political parties that had candidates receiving at least 5% of the total registered voters in the last general election will qualify to nominate candidates through a primary election. Furthermore, it establishes that minor parties can qualify for primary elections by submitting a petition signed by a specified number of registered voters, with the same signature-gathering fee requirement. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and will apply to petitions distributed and submitted for elections held after December 31, 2023.

Statutes affected:
SB0565_1.pdf: 13-10-502, 13-10-504, 13-10-601, 13-10-606
SB0565_2.pdf: 13-10-502, 13-10-504, 13-10-601, 13-10-606
Amended: 13-10-502, 13-10-504, 13-10-601, 13-10-606
Introduced: 13-10-502, 13-10-504, 13-10-601, 13-10-606