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Georgia signature requirements
 (By state) |
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Federal offices
U.S. Senate
In Georgia, U.S. Senate candidates must pay a filing fee equal to 3% of the annual salary paid to officeholders. If candidates cannot afford the filing fee, they may submit a "pauper's affidavit" affirming their inability to pay and detailing their financial situation. Such candidates must qualify by petition, collecting signatures equal to 1/4% (0.25%) of the registered voters in the state as of the last election.[1][2]
Write-in candidates may not participate in primaries. They must file an "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy in "paper of general circulation."[1]
In 2012, the filing fee for U.S. Senate candidates was $5,220.[3]
U.S. House
In Georgia, U.S. House candidates must pay a filing fee equal to 3% of the annual salary paid to officeholders. If candidates cannot afford the filing fee, they may submit a "pauper's affidavit" affirming their inability to pay and detailing their financial situation. Such candidates must qualify by petition, collecting signatures equal to 1% of the registered voters in the district as of the last election.[1][2]
Write-in candidates may not participate in primaries. They must file an "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy in "paper of general circulation."[1]
In 2012, the filing fee for U.S. House candidates was $5,220.[3]
Note: The Georgia Code makes provision for calculating the number of signatures required after redistricting. The Code states that for "an office for which there has never been an election" or "an office in a newly constituted constituency" the number of registered voters (for the purpose of calculating the signature requirement) is determined by the number of registered voters in the constituency who would have been qualified to vote for the office in the last election.[2]
Filing deadlines
2012
Partisan candidates had to file between May 23 and May 25 in order to participate in the primary election. Independent candidates had to file between July 30 and August 3 in order to participate in the general election. Write-in candidates had to file their "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy by September 4.[1]
State offices
Statewide executive offices
In Georgia, statewide candidates must pay a filing fee equal to 3% of the annual salary paid to officeholders. If the position is not salaried, the Secretary of State sets a "reasonable" fee. This fee must be less than %3 of the income earned by the last office holder in the preceding year. If candidates cannot afford the filing fee, they may submit a "pauper's affidavit" affirming their inability to pay and detailing their financial situation. Such candidates must qualify by petition, collecting signatures equal to 1/4% (0.25%) of the registered voters in the state as of the last election.[1][2]
Write-in candidates may not participate in primaries. They must file an "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy in "paper of general circulation."[1]
In 2012, the only state-level, statewide offices up for election were two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. The filing fee for candidates was $3,493.57.[3]
State legislature
In Georgia, legislative candidates must pay a filing of $400. If candidates cannot afford the filing fee, they may submit a "pauper's affidavit" affirming their inability to pay and detailing their financial situation. Such candidates must qualify by petition, collecting signatures equal to 1% of the registered voters in the district as of the last election.[1][2][3]
Write-in candidates may not participate in primaries. They must file an "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy in "paper of general circulation."[1]
Note: The Georgia Code makes provision for calculating the number of signatures required after redistricting. The Code states that for "an office for which there has never been an election" or "an office in a newly constituted constituency" the number of registered voters (for the purpose of calculating the signature requirement) is determined by the number of registered voters in the constituency who would have been qualified to vote for the office in the last election.[2]
Filing deadlines
2012
Partisan candidates had to file between May 23 and May 25 in order to participate in the primary election. Independent candidates had to file between July 30 and August 3 in order to participate in the general election. Write-in candidates had to file their "intention of candidacy" and publish a notice of their candidacy by September 4.[1]
Ballot measures
Georgia is one of the 24 states that do not have initiative and referendum.
See also
2012
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state government elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections
- Petition drive deadlines, 2012
External links
- Georgia Secretary of State, "Candidate Guide," 2012
- Georgia Secretary of State, "Candidate Information Page"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Georgia Secretary of State, "Candidate Guide," 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Official Code of Georgia Annotated, § 21-2-132 (g) & (h), Accessed May 4, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Fees for State and Federal Candidates for 2012 Elections in Georgia," Accessed May 4, 2012
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