HB 17 Summary

• Establishes a top two nonpartisan primary election system where all voters can vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election

• Eliminates party-specific primary ballots and removes the requirement that candidates be registered party members to run in primaries

• Repeals the special runoff election process for U.S. Senate and House races, replacing it with a single special election following a special primary

• Changes political party definition from requiring nominated candidates to receive 3% of votes to requiring 3% of registered voters statewide

• Updates election procedures for precinct watchers, board appointments, and ballot instructions to reflect the nonpartisan primary system and candidate preference designations instead of party affiliations