House Bill 497 Summary

• Removes authority of party executive committees to hear and decide primary election contests, transferring decision-making power to circuit court judges.

• Establishes 20-day filing deadline for candidates to contest primary election results by filing a sworn petition in circuit court, eliminating the previous requirement to file with executive committees first.

• Authorizes circuit clerks to provide notice by email upon filing of a petition in primary election contests and requires the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to designate a judge from outside the affected district to hear the case.

• Eliminates the requirement that election commissioners sit with judges during primary contest hearings and removes their authority to subpoena witnesses for such contests.

• Repeals Sections 23-15-921, 23-15-923, 23-15-925, and 23-15-935, which previously provided procedures for executive committee hearings and allowed committees to subpoena witnesses.