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Committee advances bill to extend independent candidate signature deadline to May 1
Summary
The Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee voted to pass House Bill 1152, which moves the independent candidate signature filing deadline from March 1 to noon on May 1 to align with a court ruling and give independent candidates more time.
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to pass House Bill 1152 on a voice vote, advancing a change that extends the filing deadline for independent candidates.
Senator Hammer, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to a recent court ruling and “allow[s] independent candidates to have until noon on May 1 to get all their signatures turned in.” Josh Bridges of the Secretary of State’s Office told the committee the bill moves the filing cutoff “from March 1 … to May 1,” language he said reflects an earlier deadline used before legislative change.
Committee members questioned whether May 1 was the appropriate date; Bridges said the decision was consistent with parties’ views and pending litigation. The committee made a motion for a due-pass recommendation, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The bill sponsor thanked the committee after the vote. Next steps will follow normal Senate procedures as the bill moves toward the Senate floor.
