Committee narrows signature requirements for independent candidates in HB207

Ms. Power summarized House Bill 207, sponsored by Representative Etchart, saying it "shortens the filing time from 60 days to 15" and requires independent candidates to file at the same time as other candidates, among other changes. The original draft raised the signature threshold for write-in candidates from 5% to 15%, and included other changes to filing timing.

Several committee members said the drafting raised concerns for independent candidates. Vice Chair Courtem and Representative Lee noted that the proposed deadlines and thresholds would create a heavy burden; Representative Lee said he "obviously wish[ed] we would keep it at the 5%." Representative Feyant detailed experiences of past independent candidates, saying one had to gather 361 signatures and had 30 thrown out due to inactive voters, and said "5% is already higher than most states" and two weeks is not a long enough filing period.

The committee considered an amendment to restore a 5% threshold; that amendment failed (9 yes, 10 no). The committee instead adopted a conceptual amendment that set the signature requirement at 5% for statewide and federal offices and 10% for legislative and lower-ballot offices (including PSC and district judges). After debate the committee voted to pass HB207 as conceptually amended; the final roll call was reported as 11 yes, 8 no.

Committee discussion emphasized balancing ballot access with qualification standards; proponents said the conceptual compromise preserves access for top-of-ticket independent candidates while raising thresholds for down-ballot races. The committee recorded the amended bill as passed and sent HB207 to the House floor.