HB 158 Summary

• Abolishes partisan primary elections and replaces them with open primary elections held three weeks before general elections in which all qualified voters may participate regardless of party affiliation.

• Establishes that when one candidate qualifies, their name goes only on the general election ballot; when two qualify, the candidate receiving a majority in the open primary advances to the general election; when more than two qualify, the top two candidates advance to the general election.

• Requires candidates to qualify by paying filing fees ($300 for Governor/U.S. Senator, $200 for statewide offices, $15 for legislative and most county offices, $10 for municipal offices) no later than 60 days before the general election.

• Applies the new open primary system to state, congressional, county, municipal, and district elections, but excludes judicial elections and special elections.

• Repeals all existing statutes governing partisan primary elections, primary election procedures, party executive committee duties, and related provisions.