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 more than one political party within the same voting year. Specifically, it establishes that such candidates will be deemed 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 the Secretary of State must determine a candidate's ineligibility within ten days after the regular filing deadline and provide written notice to the candidate, informing them of their ineligibility and the option to withdraw from the election.

Additionally, the bill amends existing sections of the Election Code to ensure that a candidate's name cannot be certified for the ballot if it is to be omitted under the new Section 162.0151 or if the candidate's application is invalid under other specified sections. This includes updates to the certification processes for state chairs, presiding officers, and county chairs, reinforcing the new eligibility criteria. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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