SB214 Summary

• Amends Section 17-6-22 to change the deadline for independent political parties to submit petition signatures 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 equal to the lowest qualifying fee required for the office by a political party at the time of filing their petition for ballot access.

• Maintains the existing requirement that independent candidates and political 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.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor or upon becoming law.