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Colorado signature requirements
 (By state) |
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Contents |
Federal offices
Partisan primary candidates are typically designated by party assemblies. To be selected by a partisan assembly, candidates must have been a registered member of the party since the beginning of the year. Candidates must also receive 30% of the assembly vote in order to secure a place on the primary ballot. If no candidate receives 30% of the assembly vote, then the two candidates who received the most votes are placed on the ballot. Once selected, candidates must formally accept their party's designation, certifying their acceptance to the Secretary of State. This process is also used for minor party candidates.[1][2]
Partisan candidates may also qualify for the primary by petition. However, candidates that attempted to qualify by the assembly process and received less than 10% of the assembly vote are ineligible to qualify for their party's primary by petition. Along with their petition, candidates must also submit a "Candidate Acceptance of Petition Nomination" form. The same process is used for minor party candidates. However, their signature requirements are lower. For all candidates, signature requirements vary by office.[3][4]
Independent candidates must qualify by petition. Their signature requirements are the same as those for minor party candidates. Similar to partisan candidates, independent candidates must be registered as unaffiliated by the first of the year.[5]
Voters may only sign one candidate petition per office. In order to sign a major party candidate petition, signers must have been a registered member of that party for 29 days. Petitions are submitted to the Secretary of State.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag;
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Write-in candidates must submit an "Affidavit of Intent for Write-In" form to the Secretary of state.[6]
Prior to qualifying for the ballot (or as a write-in), all candidates must become a candidate for campaign finance purposes. This involves complying with Federal Election Commission requirements. In addition, all candidates (other than write-ins) must submit an audio recording of their name for handicap accessible ballots.[7]
U.S. Senate
Candidates qualifying by petition face distinct requirements based on party affiliation. Major party candidates U.S. Senate must collect 1500 signatures in each of the state's congressional districts. Minor party candidates must collect 1000 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the most recent general election for that office, whichever is less.[8]
U.S. House
Candidates qualifying by petition face distinct requirements based on party affiliation. Major party candidates candidates must submit 1000 signatures or signatures equal to 30% of the last primary vote for the office, whichever is less (If no primary was held, then the last general election for the office). Minor party and independent candidates must collect 800 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the most recent general election for that seat, whichever is less.[9]
Filing deadlines
2012
The deadline for party assemblies was April 14. The deadline for partisan candidate petitions was April 2. The deadline for unaffiliated candidate petitions was July 12, 2012.
The deadline for primary write-in candidates was April 20. The deadline for general election write-in candidates was July 19.[10]
State offices
Partisan primary candidates are typically designated by party assemblies. To be selected by a partisan assembly, candidates must have been a registered member of the party since the beginning of the year. Candidates must also receive 30% of the assembly vote in order to secure a place on the primary ballot. If no candidate receives 30% of the assembly vote, then the two candidates who received the most votes are placed on the ballot. Once selected, candidates must formally accept their party's designation, certifying their acceptance to the Secretary of State. This process is also used for minor party candidates.[11][12]
Partisan candidates may also qualify for the primary by petition. However, candidates that attempted to qualify by the assembly process and received less than 10% of the assembly vote are ineligible to qualify for their party's primary by petition. Along with their petition, candidates must also submit a "Candidate Acceptance of Petition Nomination" form. The same process is used for minor party candidates. However, their signature requirements are lower. For all candidates, signature requirements vary by office.[13][14]
Independent candidates must qualify by petition. Their signature requirements are the same as those for minor party candidates. Similar to partisan candidates, independent candidates must be registered as unaffiliated by the first of the year.[15]
Voters may only sign one candidate petition per office. In order to sign a major party candidate petition, signers must have been a registered member of that party for 29 days. Petitions are submitted to the Secretary of State.[13][14][15]
Write-in candidates must submit an "Affidavit of Intent for Write-In" form to the Secretary of state.[16]
Prior to qualifying for the ballot (or as a write-in), all candidates must become a candidate for the purposes of the state's campaign finance regulations. This involves publicly announcing their candidacy and having received/expended campaign funds. In addition, all candidates (other than write-ins) must submit an audio recording of their name for handicap accessible ballots.[17]
Statewide executive offices
Candidates qualifying by petition face distinct requirements based on party affiliation. Major party candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Treasurer must collect 1500 signatures in each of the state's congressional districts. Minor party candidates must collect 1000 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the most recent general election for that office, whichever is less.[18]
State legislature
Candidates qualifying by petition face distinct requirements based on desired office and party affiliation. Major party candidates candidates must submit 1000 signatures or signatures equal to 30% of the last primary vote for the office, whichever is less (If no primary was held, then the last general election for the office).
For minor party and independent candidates, the requirements are lower. House candidates must collect 400 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the most recent general election for that office, whichever is less. Senate candidates must collect 600 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the most recent general election for that office, whichever is less.[19]
Filing deadlines
2012
The deadline for party assemblies was April 14. The deadline for partisan candidate petitions was April 2. The deadline for unaffiliated candidate petitions was July 12, 2012.
The deadline for primary write-in candidates was April 20. The deadline for general election write-in candidates was July 19.[20]
Ballot measures
Current Requirements
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|---|
| Laws • History |
| List of measures |
The number of signatures required for a successful petition is equal to 5% of the total number of votes cast for the office of Secretary of State in the preceding general election. The same number of signatures is required for constitutional amendments, statutes, and referendums.
| Year | Amendment | Statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 86,105 | 86,105 | 86,105 |
| 2013 | 86,105 | 86,105 | 86,105 |
| 2012 | 86,105 | 86,105 | 86,105 |
| 2010 | 76,047 | 76,047 | 76,047 |
| 2008 | 76,047 | 76,047 | 76,047 |
See law: Colorado Constitution, Article V, Section 1, ¶ 2
Basis of calculation
In 2010, a total of 1,722,096 ballots were cast for the office of Colorado Secretary of State.[21]
Signature deadlines
2012
- See also: Petition drive deadlines, 2012
The signature filing deadline for the 2012 ballot in Colorado was August 6, 2012 by 3:00 PM-Mountain Time[22].
2011
The signature filing deadline for the 2011 ballot in Colorado for was August 1, 2011 by 3:00 PM-Mountain Time[23].
2010
The signature filing deadline for the 2010 ballot in Colorado is July 12, 2010 by 3:00 PM-Mountain Time.[24].
Recall
In order to recall an elected official in Colorado, petitioners must collect signatures equal to 25% of the total vote cast in the last election for the targeted office. Petitions must be circulated within 60 days.
See also
2012
External links
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- Signature Requirements for State Initiatives from the Secretary of State's official web site
- Colorado signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
- Colorado proposed initiatives
References
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, Congressional Candidates, "Major Party Assembly Designation," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, Congressional Candidates, "Minor Party Assembly Designation," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, Congressional Candidates, "Major Party Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, Congressional Candidates, "Minor Party Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, Congressional Candidates, "Unaffiliated Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Write-In," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Federal Candidates," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Petition Signature Requirements," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Petition Signature Requirements," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2012 Election Calendar," June 8, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, State Candidates, "Major Party Assembly Designation," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, State Candidates, "Minor Party Assembly Designation," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Colorado Secretary of State, State Candidates, "Major Party Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Colorado Secretary of State, State Candidates, "Minor Party Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Colorado Secretary of State, State Candidates, "Unaffiliated Candidate Petition," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Write-In," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "State Candidates," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Petition Signature Requirements," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Petition Signature Requirements," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2012 Election Calendar," June 8, 2012
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State "Official 2010 General Election Results"
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State "2011 – 2012 Initiative Calendar"
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State "2011 Election Calendar"
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State "2010 Elections Calendar"
