House Bill No. 3786 introduces new regulations regarding the eligibility of candidates who file applications for a place on the general primary election ballot or for nomination by convention with multiple political parties within the same voting year. Specifically, it establishes that such candidates will be ineligible for a place on the ballot for the general primary election, nomination by convention, and participation in the succeeding general election as an independent candidate, a nominee of a political party, or a write-in candidate. The bill mandates that if the Secretary of State determines a candidate's ineligibility, their name must be omitted from the general primary election ballot of each political party with which they filed, and the Secretary must provide written notice to the candidate regarding their ineligibility and the option to withdraw.

Additionally, the bill amends existing sections of the Election Code to ensure that a candidate's name cannot be certified if it is to be omitted from the ballot under the new Section 162.0151 or other specified sections. This includes updates to the responsibilities of the state chair, presiding officers, and county chairs in relation to candidate certification. The provisions of this Act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 172.028, Election Code 181.068, Election Code 182.007 (Election Code 172, Election Code 181, Election Code 182)