Reduces number of signatures required for a nominating petition

3 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Shirley L. Huntley
• Liz Krueger

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to the number of signatures on nominating petitions

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill will help eliminate inequities in the special election process by allowing independent candidates to file a smaller, more reasonable amount of petition signatures in special congressional elections, and by allowing more time to collect these signatures.

Summary of specific provisions

Paragraph (e) of subdivision 2 of section 6142 of the election law, as amended by chapter 79 of the laws of 1992, is amended reducing the number of signatures required for a nominating petition to two thousand.

Justification

In recent special elections, independent candidates for congressional office were allowed only 7 days to collect 3500 valid petition signatures in order to appear on the ballot. However, in the same election, candidates nominated by a statewide party appeared on the ballot after being designated by party leadership. This situation therefore creates a situation where a candidate who has perhaps only the backing of party leadership can appear on the ballot without demonstrating grass roots support, while requiring an independent candidate to demonstrate support from the community at large before he or she can appear on the same ballot. This is compounded by the fact that candidates commonly collect twice the number of required signatures in order to avoid being thrown off the ballot if their signatures are challenged.

It is hoped that by reducing the amount of required signatures independent candidates, who still must show grass roots support, will compete on a more level playing field with a party's chosen candidates.

Prior legislative history

This bill has been previously introduced.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

First of January after it shall have become law.