SB 1180

Under current law, if a person signs nomination papers for two candidates for the same office in the same election, the earlier signature is valid and the later signature is invalid. In addition, current law provides that if a person circulates a nomination paper for two candidates for the same office in the same election at different times, the earlier paper is valid and the later paper is invalid. This bill eliminates those restrictions. Under the bill, a person may circulate or sign nomination papers for two or more candidates for the same office in the same election.

Also under current law, a person who circulates nomination papers or a petition for a recall election or referendum must certify that he or she knows that the signers are electors of the ward, aldermanic district, municipality, or county to which the nomination paper or petition relates. Current law also requires the circulator to certify that he or she knows the residences given by the signers. Under the bill, the circulator must certify that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the signers are all electors of the appropriate ward, aldermanic district, municipality, or county and that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the residences given by the signers are actual residences.

Finally, current law requires an individual who is circulating nomination papers to certify that he or she intends to support the candidate for whom the individual is circulating the papers. The bill eliminates that requirement.