Candidates won’t need as many signatures on petitions this year
State makes temporary change due to election calendar moving up
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed two pieces of legislation to increase ballot access for candidates running for public office following the recent change in New York’s primary election date.
The first bill (A.2570/S.2862) temporarily reduces the number of signatures required on designating petitions by 25 percent for candidates running for public offices to be filed in 2019. The second bill (A.2693/S.2699) reduces the petition signature requirement for ward, town, city, or county party committees to 3 percent of enrolled voters of the party.
“New York has made significant progress in modernizing our voting laws and ensuring fairness in our electoral system with the passage of key legislation this year,” Governor Cuomo said. “These changes further our progress by easing the burden for potential candidates who may not have had the chance to adjust to earlier petition dates this election, helping to ensure that candidates who want to run for office have the chance to do so.”
On Jan. 24, Governor Cuomo signed legislation reunifying state, local and federal (non-presidential) primary elections to be held on the 4th Tuesday in June, effective immediately. Because of the imminent changes in the political calendar necessary to meet the requirements for a June primary, candidates for local offices in 2019 may be unable to obtain the amount of signatures required to appear on the ballot. These bills will temporarily reduce those signature requirements, ensuring ballot access for candidates in the 2019 elections.
(Editor’s Note: Candidates can start collecting signatures on Tuesday, Feb. 26)
