SB1624 Summary

• Requires petitions to form new statewide political parties to be signed by qualified voters equal to the minimum petition signature requirement for a Statewide office candidate of an established political party, replacing the previous standard of 1% of voters in the last Statewide general election or 25,000 voters, whichever is less.

• Changes the signature requirement for new political parties in districts or political subdivisions less than the entire State to match the highest minimum petition signature requirement for any office on the slate, instead of 5% of voters from the preceding regular election.

• Makes independent candidate nomination petition signature requirements equal to those for established political party candidates for the same office, with any signature limitations for party candidates also applying to independent candidates.

• Removes special reduced signature requirements that previously applied after redistricting of congressional, legislative, representative, county board, and municipal districts.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.