Bill would standardize caucus eligibility and create removal process for county commissioners

Representative Lawson asked the Senate Elections Committee to consider House Bill 1197, saying the measure "adds consistency to state law" by clarifying candidate eligibility in caucuses and by creating a removal mechanism for county commissioners.

Lawson introduced the bill as a two-part change: requiring candidates selected by party caucuses for county, city, town and township offices to meet the same eligibility and party-affiliation rules that apply to primary-ballot candidates, and copying an existing 1980 statute that allows county councils to remove members for "violation of an official duty" or for inability to perform duties to create a parallel removal route for three-member county commissions.

The bill would give caucus chairs or appointing authorities authority to remove a candidate from caucus consideration if the candidate does not satisfy legal requirements for the office or party…