GA HB1425

Eliminates the requirement that independent candidates and political body candidates in Georgia file nomination petitions signed by voters in order to gain ballot access, allowing them to qualify by filing only a notice of candidacy and paying the qualifying fee

Repeals Code Sections 21-2-170 and 21-2-171, which governed the nomination petition process and the examination of such petitions, and repeals Part 4 of Article 4 relating to nomination of political body candidates for statewide office by convention with petition requirements

Removes the Secretary of State's and election superintendents' duties to receive, determine the sufficiency of, and set the form for nomination petitions, reserving those code provisions

Allows political bodies to nominate candidates for any public office (not just statewide office) by convention, with convention-nominated candidates listed under the political body's name on the ballot and all other non-party candidates listed as independents

Renames references throughout Georgia's election code from "nomination petitions" to "qualifying petitions" (which apply only to pauper's affidavit candidates who cannot pay qualifying fees) and updates related criminal penalty provisions accordingly