This bill amends the Election Code to improve voter participation by allowing individuals to sign multiple nominating petitions for the same office and reducing the signature requirements for independent candidates. It removes the previous limitation that restricted a person to signing only one petition for the same office unless multiple candidates were being elected. The bill also establishes that signatures will be counted unless there is evidence that the signer is not a registered voter or has signed more than one petition for the same office in the same election cycle. Additionally, it mandates the implementation of a secure internet application for gathering electronic signatures by January 1, 2024.

Moreover, the bill modifies the requirements for nominating petitions for independent and minor political party candidates, reducing the number of signatures needed to one percent of the total votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election. It eliminates the restriction on the number of petitions a voter can sign and updates the language in the nominating petition forms to ensure accessibility through the secretary of state's website. The bill also specifies that nominating petitions must be on standard-sized paper with numbered lines for signatures and removes the requirement for signers to declare they have not signed more petitions than necessary. Additionally, it allows for presidential primary ballot nominations to be submitted via petitions signed by registered voters from each congressional district, with provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-1-7.2, 1-8-2, 1-8-30, 1-8-50, 1-8-51, 1-8-65, 1-15A-6