SB437 Summary

• Establishes nonpartisan elections for the office of county sheriff beginning with the 2016 election cycle; candidates file declarations of candidacy without declaring party affiliation.

• If more than two candidates qualify for county sheriff, all names appear on the Primary Election ballot with the top two vote-getters advancing to the General Election if no candidate receives over 50% of votes.

• Removes the requirement for county sheriff candidates to be registered voters of a specific political party for the six months preceding the filing period.

• Modifies candidate declaration requirements by specifying party affiliation information is only required for state office candidates, not for nonpartisan county sheriff races.

• Includes procedures for candidate death or vacancy, specifying special election processes for county sheriff races; effective date is November 1, 2013.