HB268 Summary

• Changes the filing deadline for independent political parties seeking ballot access from "the date of the first primary election" to "not later than 5:00 P.M. on the date qualifying ends pursuant to Section 17-3-5."

• Requires independent candidates to pay a processing fee at the time of petition submission for ballot access, with the fee amount equal to the lowest qualifying fee required for that office by a political party.

• Maintains the existing requirement that independent candidates and parties must submit written petitions signed by at least three percent of qualified electors who cast ballots for Governor in the last general election.

• Directs all processing fees collected from independent candidates to be distributed to the Comptroller's office for election administration expenses.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.