HB 7103 - Elections Summary

• Officers who qualify for federal public office must resign from their current state/local office if terms overlap; resignation must be submitted in writing by qualification date and is irrevocable, with automatic resignation effective immediately if not submitted.

• Resignation creates a vacancy to be filled by election, with elected officers' terms deemed vacant on the effective date of their written resignation.

• Municipalities must determine election dates for municipal offices, with options including the general election date, first Tuesday after first Monday in November, or first Tuesday after first Monday in April; state law preempts local authority on this matter.

• Ballots must indicate if candidates seeking reelection are incumbents; no-party-affiliation candidates must be registered without party affiliation at time of qualification; candidates may pay qualifying fees by check or certified check.

• Section 101.75 relating to changing municipal election dates for cause is repealed; incumbent municipal officers' terms are extended until the next municipal election; most provisions take effect July 1, 2017, with municipal election provisions effective July 1, 2020.