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Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections

From Ballotpedia


Signature filing deadlines

The state legislative filing deadlines listed by month were as follows:

2011

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

***Note: The signature filing period in Texas was originally December 19, 2011 but re-opened once a final map was chosen by the courts

Primaries

The state primaries listed by month were as follows:

This map displays the month of each
State legislative primary in 2012
State leg. primaries colored by month12.png

March

  • Ohio, March 6
  • Illinois, March 20

April

  • Pennsylvania, April 24

May

  • Indiana, May 8
  • North Carolina, May 8
  • West Virginia, May 8
  • Idaho, May 15
  • Nebraska, May 15
  • Oregon, May 15
  • Arkansas, May 22
  • Kentucky, May 22
  • Texas, May 29

June

  • California, June 5
  • Iowa, June 5
  • Montana, June 5
  • New Mexico, June 5
  • South Carolina, June 12
  • South Dakota, June 5
  • Maine, June 12
  • Nevada, June 12
  • North Dakota, June 12
  • Oklahoma, June 26
  • Utah, June 26
  • Colorado, June 26

July

  • Georgia, July 31

August

  • Tennessee, August 2
  • Kansas, August 7
  • Michigan, August 7
  • Missouri, August 7
  • Washington, August 7
  • Hawaii, August 11
  • Connecticut, August 14
  • Florida, August 14
  • Minnesota, August 14
  • Wisconsin, August 14
  • Wyoming, August 21
  • Alaska, August 28
  • Arizona, August 28
  • Vermont, August 28

September

  • Massachusetts, September 6
  • Delaware, September 11
  • New Hampshire, September 11
  • Rhode Island, September 11
  • New York, September 13

Primary Information for 2012

Note: The signature filing deadline is the date by which candidates must file nominating signatures with election officials in order to have their name placed on the ballot.

2012 State Legislative Primary Information
StateSignature Filing DeadlinePrimary DateNotes/Costs for candidatesDays from Deadline to Primary
Alaska6/1/20128/28/2012Major party candidates for the State Senate or House of Representatives must pay a $30 filing fee, while non-affliated candidates do not have to submit a fee.88
Arizona5/30/20128/28/2012Signature requirements vary by district.90
Arkansas3/1/2012[1]5/22/2012Individual parties set filing fees in Arkansas. Democrats must pay $4,500 (Senate) and $3,000 (House) while Republicans must pay $7,500 (Senate) and $3,000 (House).82
California3/9/20126/5/2012[2]Candidates must pay 1% of the first year's salary ($952.91) or obtain 3,000 (Senate) and 1,500 (House) signatures in lieu of the fees.88
Colorado4/2/2012[3]6/26/2012[4]Major party candidates must obtain signatures equal to the lesser of 1,000 or 30% of votes cast in the previous primary election. Minor party candidates must obtain signatures equal to the lesser of 600 (Senate) and 400 (House) or 2% of votes cast in the previous primary election.85
Connecticut6/12/2012[5]8/14/2012[5]158
Delaware7/10/2012[6]9/11/2012[6]Filing fees will be set in 2012. There are no signature requirements for major party candidates. Unaffiliated candidates must obtain signatures equal to 1% of the voters registered in the district.63
Florida6/8/2012[7]8/14/2012[7]Major party candidates must pay $1,781.82. Minor party candidates must pay $1,187.88. Candidates must also obtain 1,552 (Senate) and 518 (House) signatures.67
Georgia5/25/2012[8]7/31/2012[8]Candidates must pay $400 in filing fees.67
Hawaii6/5/2012[9]8/11/2012[9]Candidates must pay $25 if they agree to the campaign finance affidavit or $250 if they don't agree. Candidates are also required to obtain 15 signatures.67
Idaho3/9/2012[10]5/15/2012[11]67
Illinois12/5/2011 (Major party)
6/25/2012 (New Party / Independent)[12]		3/20/2012[12]Major party candidates must obtain 1,000 (Senate) and 500 (House) signatures. New party and independent candidates must obtain 3,000 (Senate) and 1,500 (House) signatures.[12]106
Indiana2/10/20125/8/2012Minor party and independent candidates must obtain 2% of the total votes cast in the previous election for Secretary of State in their district.88
Iowa3/16/20126/5/2012Candidates must obtain 100 (Senate) and 50 (House) signatures.81
Kansas6/11/2012[13]8/7/2012[13]Candidates must obtain signatures equaling the lesser of 1% of Party and 75 (Senate) and 25 (House). Candidates must also pay $103 (Senate) and $105 (House) in filing fees or $55 if they petition.67
Kentucky1/31/2012[14]5/22/2012[14]Candidates must pay $200 in filing fees.111
Maine3/15/2012[15]6/12/2012[15]2012 info will be posted on 12/16/2012.89
Massachusetts6/5/2012[16]9/6/2012[16]Candidates must obtain 300 (Senate) and 150 (House) signatures.93
Michigan House of Representatives[17]5/15/20128/7/2012[18]Major party candidates must obtain 200 signatures or pay $100 in lieu. Minor party candidates must obtain 600 signatures.84
Minnesota6/5/2012[19]8/14/2012[20]Candidates must pay $100 in filing fees.70
Missouri3/27/2012[21]8/7/2012[22]Candidates must pay $100 (Senate) and $50 (House) in filing fees.133
Montana3/12/2012[23]6/5/2012[23]Candidates must pay $15 in filing fees.85
Nebraska2/15/2012 (Incumbents), 3/1/2012 (non-incumbnets)5/15/2012[24]Candidates must pay $120 in filing fees.89
Nevada3/16/2012[25]6/12/2012[25]Candidates must pay $100 in filing fees.88
New Hampshire6/15/20129/11/2012[26]Major party candidates must pay $10 (Senate) and $2 (House) or obtain 20 (Senate) and 5 (House) signatures in lieu. Independent candidates must pay $10 (Senate) and $2 (House) or obtain 750 (Senate) and 150 (House) signatures in lieu.88
New Mexico3/20/2012[27]6/5/2012[27]Candidates for both Senate and House must submit a $50 filing fee. Signature requirements vary with a 2% and 4% threshold and depending on political party and office.77
New York7/12/20129/13/2012[28]Candidates must obtain signatures equal to the lesser of 5% of the enrolled voters of the political party in the district and 1,000 (Senate) or 500 (House). The minimum numbers are from 2011. New minimum figures will be released on 4/1/2012.61
North Carolina2/29/20125/8/2012Candidates must pay a filing fee equal to 1% of the salary of the office sought.69
North Dakota4/13/20126/12/2012Major party candidates must obtain signatures equal to 1% of the total population in the district. Minor party candidates must obtain signatures equal to 2% of the total population in the district.60
Ohio12/7/20113/6/2012Candidates must pay a filing fee of $85. Major party candidates must obtain 50 signatures and minor party candidates 25. Major party candidates must submit at least 50 signatures and minor party candidates at least 25 signatures. Independent candidates have signature requirements based on the number of votes cast in the congressional district in the last general election for governor. If there were fewer than 5,000 votes in the last election, the signature requirement would be 25 signatures, or 5% of the vote, whichever is less. If there were more than 5,000 votes in the last election, the signature requirement would be 1% of the vote.90
Oklahoma4/13/2012[29]6/26/2012[29]74
Oregon3/6/2012[30]5/15/2012[30]Candidates must pay $25 in fees and an additional $750 to be included in the voter's pamphlet. Candidates may obtain 300 signatures in lieu of the $750.70
Pennsylvania2/16/2012[31]4/24/2012[31]Candidates must pay $100 and obtain 500 (Senate) and 300 (House) signatures.68
Rhode Island6/27/20129/11/2012Candidates must obtain 100 (Senate) and 50 (House) signatures.96
South Carolina3/30/2012[32]6/12/2012[32]2012 primary fees will be posted in January 201274
South Dakota3/27/20126/5/2012[33]Signature Requirements vary with district and political party70
Tennessee4/5/20128/2/2012[34]Candidates must obtain 25 signatures.119
Texas3/9/20115/29/2012Major party candidates must pay $1,250 (Senate) and $750 (House) in filing fees or obtain 2% (500) of votes for gubernatorial candidates cast in the applicable territory in the 2010 general election. Independent candidates must obtain 5% (1,250) of votes for gubernatorial candidates cast in the applicable territory in the 2010 general election.81
Utah3/15/20126/26/2012[35]Major and minor party candidates must pay $26.30 (Senate) and $13.20 (House) in filing fees. Minor party candidates must also obtain signatures equaling the lesser of 300 and 5% of registered voters in their district.102
Vermont6/14/2012[36]8/28/2012[36]Candidates must obtain 100 (Senate) and 50 (House) signatures.75
Washington5/18/2012[37]8/7/2012Filing requirements will be made available in January 2012.81
West Virginia1/28/20125/8/2012Major party candidates must pay $200 (Senate) and $100 (House) in filing fees. Minor party candidates must obtain 1% of the last general election votes.101
Wisconsin6/1/20128/14/2012[38]Candidates must obtain 400 (Senate) and 200 (House) signatures.74
Wyoming6/1/2012[39]8/21/2012[39]Candidates must pay $25 in filing fees. New party and independent candidates must also obtain 3,740 signatures.81


States with no 2012 election

See also:State legislative elections, 2012

The following seven states did not hold state legislative elections in 2012.

Note:Michigan did not hold anystate senate elections in 2012.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑Confirmed via email with Arkansas Board of Elections, June 20, 2011
  2. ↑Confirmed via email with California Secretary of State office, July 12, 2011
  3. ↑Colorado Secretary of State, 2012 Election Calendar
  4. ↑Confirmed via email with Colorado Board of Elections, June 28, 2011
  5. ↑5.05.1http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/calendars/2012_election/2012_election_calendar.pdf
  6. ↑6.06.1Confirmed with Delaware Secretary of State office, September 9, 2011
  7. ↑7.07.1Florida Division of Elections, Calendar of Election Dates, accessed June 17, 2011
  8. ↑8.08.1Confirmed via email with Georgia Secretary of State office, July 12, 2011
  9. ↑9.09.1Hawaii.gov, 2012 ELECTION CALENDAR, accessed June 17, 2011
  10. ↑Idaho.gov, Idaho Statutes, accessed July 6, 2011
  11. ↑Idaho.gov, Idaho Statutes, accessed July 6, 2011
  12. ↑12.012.112.2http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/PDF/2012CanGuide.pdf
  13. ↑13.013.1Confirmed via email with the Kansas Legislative Research Dept. on July 18, 2011]
  14. ↑14.014.1Kentucky 2012 election calendar
  15. ↑15.015.1Confirmed via email with Maine Secretary of State-Elections Division, July 12, 2011
  16. ↑16.016.1Massachusetts Secretary of State "2012 State Election Calendar"
  17. ↑Michigan will not be holding anystate senate elections in 2012.
  18. ↑Michigan Secretary of State, Important Dates and Filing Deadlines, accessed July 6, 2011
  19. ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, Filing Periods, accessed July 7, 2011
  20. ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, Important Election Dates, accessed July 7, 2011
  21. ↑Confirmed via email with the Missouri State Legislature on July 6, 2011]
  22. ↑Confirmed via email with the Missouri State Legislature on July 6, 2011]
  23. ↑23.023.1Confirmed via email with the Montana Legislative Services on August 4, 2011]
  24. ↑Nebraska Secretary of State Candidate Filing Periods for 2012, accessed June 6, 2011
  25. ↑25.025.1Confirmed via email with the Nevada Legislature on 7/6/2011.
  26. ↑Confirmed via email with New Hampshire Secretary of State-Elections Division, July 12, 2011
  27. ↑27.027.1Confirmed via email with the New Mexico Legislative Council Service, July 15, 2011]
  28. ↑WHAM, "New York Primary Date Changed," May 15, 2012
  29. ↑29.029.1Confirmed via email with Oklahoma Board of elections, July 18, 2011
  30. ↑30.030.1Oregon Secretary of State, May 15, 2012 Primary Election, March 18, 2011
  31. ↑31.031.1[Confirmed via phone withSecretary of State's Office in August 2011]
  32. ↑32.032.1[Confirmed via email with State Senate office in September 2011]
  33. ↑South Dakota Secretary of State Primary Election Candidates, accessed July 13, 2011
  34. ↑Tennessee Department of State - Division of Elections Election Calendar, accessed July 13, 2011
  35. ↑Confirmed via email with the Utah Legislature on August 11, 2011]
  36. ↑36.036.1Confirmed via email with the Vermont Legislative Council on July 8, 2011]
  37. ↑Washington Secretary of State 2012 Election Calendar, accessed Aug. 23, 2011
  38. ↑JSOnline, Assembly passes bill to move presidential primary, Sept. 13, 2011
  39. ↑39.039.12012 Key Election Dates
  40. ↑Alabama Secretary of State, Offices up for Election 2012
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