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Signature requirements and deadlines for 2016 state government elections
From Ballotpedia
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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. This page features deadlines for 2016. Select the type of election below to see relevant dates.
Ballot measures
- Main article: Ballot measure petition deadlines and requirements, 2016
Legend:
= A deadline that has passed.
| 2016 Deadlines and Requirements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Deadlines | Signatures for statutes | Signatures for referendums | Signatures for constitutional amendments | ||
| Alaska | Initiative signatures must be submitted 365 days after the Division of Elections prepares petition forms or by January 19, 2016, whichever comes first. Referendum signatures must be submitted 90 days after the legislature that passed the act adjourns.[1][2] |
28,545 | 28,545 | N/A | ||
| Arizona | July 7, 2016[3] |
150,642 | 75,321 | 225,963 | ||
| Arkansas | July 8, 2016[4][5] |
67,887 | 50,916 | 84,859 | ||
| California | Each measure has its own deadline. The SOS suggested submitting signatures by mid-April 2016, however. |
365,880 | 365,880 | 585,407 | ||
| Colorado | August 8, 2016[6] |
98,492 | 98,492 | 98,492 | ||
| Florida | February 1, 2016[7] |
N/A | N/A | 683,149 | ||
| Idaho | May 1, 2016[8] |
47,623 | 47,623 | N/A | ||
| Illinois | May 9, 2016. For referendums, petitions must be filed no less than 92 days prior to the November general election.[9] |
N/A | N/A | 290,216 | ||
| Maine | February 1, 2016[10] |
61,123 | N/A | N/A | ||
| Maryland | May 31, 2016[11] |
N/A | 51,996 | N/A | ||
| Massachusetts | December 2, 2015[12][13] |
64,750 | 32,375 | 64,750 | ||
| Michigan | June 1, 2016, for initiatives; and July 11, 2016, for constitutional amendments[14][15] |
252,523 | 157,827 | 315,654 | ||
| Mississippi | October 7, 2015; Petitions must be filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State at least 90 days before the first day of the regular legislative session at which they are to be submitted. The 2016 legislative session started on January 5, 2016.[16] |
N/A | N/A | 107,216 | ||
| Missouri | May 8, 2016[17] |
98,618 | 98,618 | 157,788 | ||
| Montana | September 29, 2015, for referendum petitions; For initiatives and constitutional amendments, May 20, 2016, was the deadline for submission to county clerks, and June 17, 2016, was the deadline for submission to the SoS.[18] |
24,175 | 24,175 | 48,349 | ||
| Nebraska | July 8, 2016. For referendum, less than 90 days after the final adjournment of the state legislative session at which the bill was passed. |
81,136 | 57,955 | 115,909 | ||
| Nevada | June 21, 2016[19] |
101,667 | 55,234 | 55,234 | ||
| New Mexico | Referendum signatures are due four months before election day. The 2016 deadline was July 8, 2016 |
N/A | 51,944Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag |
91,677 | 183,355 | 305,591 |
| Oklahoma | 60 days before the election (September 7, 2016). Moreover, initiatives have specific deadlines 90 days after initial filings. No additional signatures are accepted after 5:00 p.m. on the 90th day or after. |
65,987 | 41,242 | 123,725 | ||
| Oregon | July 8, 2016 for initiatives and constitutional amendment; for referendums, signatures must be submitted no later than 90 days after the final adjournment of the legislature at which the targeted law was approved |
88,184 | 58,789 | 117,578 | ||
| South Dakota | November 9, 2015.[20] |
13,871 | 13,871 | 27,741 | ||
| Utah | The sooner of the following: (1) 316 days from the day the initiative was filed with the Lt. Governor and (2) April 15, 2016 |
101,744 | 101,744 | N/A | ||
| Washington | December 31, 2015, is the deadline for Initiatives to the Legislature; June 8, 2016, is the deadline for referendums; and July 8, 2016, is the deadline for Initiatives to the People[21] |
246,372 | 123,186 | N/A | ||
| Wyoming | February 8, 2016, for initiatives; for referendums, petitions must be filed no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature at which the targeted law was approved |
25,673 | 25,673 | N/A | ||
Executives
- Main article: State executive official elections, 2016
Governor
| Election | State | Filing date | Primary date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware gubernatorial election, 2016 | Delaware | July 12, 2016 | September 13, 2016 |
| Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016 | Indiana | February 5, 2016 | May 3, 2016 |
| Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016 | Missouri | March 29, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2016 | New Hampshire | June 10, 2016 | September 13, 2016 |
| North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2016 | North Carolina | December 21, 2015 | March 15, 2016[22] |
| North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2016 | North Dakota | April 11, 2016 | June 14, 2016 |
| Oregon gubernatorial special election, 2016 | Oregon | March 8, 2016 | May 17, 2016 |
| Utah gubernatorial election, 2016 | Utah | March 17, 2016 | June 28, 2016 |
| Vermont gubernatorial election, 2016 | Vermont | May 26, 2016 | August 9, 2016 |
| Washington gubernatorial election, 2016 | Washington | May 20, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2016 | West Virginia | January 30, 2016 | May 10, 2016 |
| Montana gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial elections, 2016 | Montana | March 14, 2016 | June 7, 2016 |
Lieutenant Governor
| Election | State | Filing date | Primary date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2016 | Delaware | July 12, 2016 | September 13, 2016 |
| North Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2016 | North Carolina | December 21, 2016 | March 15, 2016[23] |
| Missouri Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2016 | Missouri | March 29, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
Attorney General
| Election | State | Filing date | Primary date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Attorney General election, 2016 | Indiana | February 5, 2016 | May 3, 2016 |
| Missouri Attorney General election, 2016 | Missouri | March 29, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| Montana Attorney General election, 2016 | Montana | March 14, 2016 | June 7, 2016 |
| North Carolina Attorney General election, 2016 | North Carolina | December 21, 2015 | March 15, 2016 |
| Oregon Attorney General election, 2016 | Oregon | March 8, 2016 | May 17, 2016 |
| Pennsylvania Attorney General election, 2016 | Pennsylvania | February 16, 2016 | April 26, 2016 |
| Utah Attorney General election, 2016 | Utah | March 17, 2016 | June 28, 2016 |
| Vermont Attorney General election, 2016 | Vermont | May 26, 2016 | August 9, 2016 |
| Washington Attorney General election, 2016 | Washington | May 20, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| West Virginia Attorney General election, 2016 | West Virginia | January 30, 2016 | May 10, 2016 |
Secretary of State
| Election | State | Filing date | Primary date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Secretary of State election, 2016 | Missouri | March 29, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| Montana Secretary of State election, 2016 | Montana | March 14, 2016 | June 7, 2016 |
| North Carolina Secretary of State election, 2016 | North Carolina | February 29, 2016 | March 15, 2016[24] |
| Vermont Secretary of State election, 2016 | Vermont | May 26, 2016 | August 9, 2016 |
| Washington Secretary of State election, 2016 | Washington | May 20, 2016 | August 2, 2016 |
| West Virginia Secretary of State election, 2016 | West Virginia | January 30, 2016 | May 10, 2016 |
| New Mexico Secretary of State election, 2016 | New Mexico | March 8, 2016 | June 7, 2016 |
| Oregon Secretary of State election, 2016 | Oregon | March 8, 2016 | May 17, 2016 |
Legislative
- Main article: State legislative elections, 2016
The following table details 2016 state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates in each state.
| 2016 Election Dates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Filing deadline | Primary | ||||
| Alaska | June 1 | August 16 | ||||
| Arizona | June 1 | August 30 | ||||
| Arkansas | November 9 | March 1 | ||||
| California | February 25 | June 7 | ||||
| Colorado | April 4 | June 28 | ||||
| Connecticut | June 7 | August 9 | ||||
| Delaware | July 12 | September 13 | ||||
| Florida | June 24 | August 30 | ||||
| Georgia | March 11 | May 24 | ||||
| Hawaii | June 7 | August 13 | ||||
| Idaho | March 11 | May 17 | ||||
| Illinois | November 30 | March 15 | ||||
| Indiana | February 2 | May 3 | ||||
| Iowa | March 18 | June 7 | ||||
| Kansas | June 1 | August 2 | ||||
| Kentucky | January 26 | May 17 | ||||
| Maine | March 15 | June 14 | ||||
| Massachusetts | June 7 | September 8 | ||||
| Michigan | April 19 | August 2 | ||||
| Minnesota | May 31 | August 9 | ||||
| Missouri | March 29 | August 2 | ||||
| Montana | March 14 | June 7 | ||||
| Nebraska | February 16 | May 10 | ||||
| Nevada | March 18 | June 14 | ||||
| New Hampshire | June 10 | September 13 | ||||
| New Mexico | March 8 | June 7 | ||||
| New York | July 14 | September 13 | ||||
| North Carolina | December 21 | March 15[25] | ||||
| North Dakota | April 11 | June 14 | ||||
| Ohio | December 16 | March 15 | ||||
| Oklahoma | April 15 | June 28 | ||||
| Oregon | March 8 | May 17 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | February 16 | April 26 | ||||
| Rhode Island | June 29 | September 13 | ||||
| South Carolina | March 30 | June 14 | ||||
| South Dakota | March 29 | June 7 | ||||
| Tennessee | April 7 | August 4 | ||||
| Texas | December 14 | March 1 | ||||
| Utah | March 17 | June 28 | ||||
| Vermont | May 26 | August 9 | ||||
| Washington | May 20 | August 2 | ||||
| West Virginia | January 30 | May 10 | ||||
| Wisconsin | June 1 | August 9 | ||||
| Wyoming | May 27 | August 16 | ||||
Judicial
- Main article: State judicial elections, 2016
The following table details 2016 filing deadlines and election dates for statewide judicial elections (supreme and intermediate appellate courts).
| 2016 Election Dates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Filing deadline | Primary | Primary runoff | General | General runoff | |
| Alabama | 11/6/2015 | 3/1/2016 | 4/12/2016 | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Alaska | 6/1/2016 | 8/16/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Arizona | 9/9/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Arkansas | 11/9/2015 | 3/1/2016 | 3/22/2016 | 11/8/2016 | 11/29/2016 | |
| California | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Colorado | 1/4/2016 | 6/28/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Connecticut | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Delaware | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Florida | 5/6/2016 | 8/30/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Georgia | 3/11/2016 | 5/24/2016 | 7/26/2016 | 11/8/2016 | 12/6/2016 | |
| Idaho | 3/11/2016 | 5/17/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Illinois | 5/8/2016 (retention) | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Indiana | 2/5/2016 | 5/3/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Iowa | 3/18/2016 | 6/7/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Kansas | 6/1/2016 (election); 8-1-2016 (retention) | 8/2/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Kentucky | 1/26/2016 | 5/17/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Louisiana | 7/22/2016 | 11/8/2016 | - | 12/10/2016 | - | |
| Maryland | 2/3/2016 | 4/26/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Michigan | Supreme Court: 7/5/2016 (retention); 7/21/2016 (petition); 10/28/2016 (write-in); Appeals Court: 3/21/2016 (retention); 4/19/2016 (petition); 7/22/22016 (write-in) | 8/2/2016 | 11/8/2016 | |||
| Minnesota | 5/31/2016 | 8/9/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Mississippi | 5/6/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | 11/29/2016 | |
| Missouri | 8/23/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Montana | 3/14/2016 | 6/7/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Nebraska | 8/1/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Nevada | 1/15/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| New Mexico | 2/2/2016 (elections); 6/30/2016 (retentions) | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| New York | - | - | 11/8/2016 | |||
| North Carolina | 12/21/2015 | 3/15/2016[26] | 5/3/2016 | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| North Dakota | 5/24/2016 | 6/14/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Ohio | 12/16/2015 (party); 3/14/2016 (non-party) | 3/15/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Oklahoma | 4/15/2016 | 6/28/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Oregon | 3/11/2016 (primary); 8/30/2016 (general) | 5/17/2016 | 11/8/2016 | |||
| Pennsylvania | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Rhode Island | - | - | - | - | - | |
| South Carolina | - | - | - | - | - | |
| South Dakota | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Tennessee | 2/4/2016 | 5/3/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Texas | 12/14/2015 (party); 6/23/2016 (non-party) | 3/1/2016 | 5/24/2016 | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Utah | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Vermont | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Virginia | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Washington | 5/20/2016 | 8/2/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| West Virginia | 1/30/2016 | 5/10/2016 | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
| Wisconsin | 1/5/2016 | 2/16/2016 | - | 4/5/2016 | - | |
| Wyoming | 8/8/2016 | - | - | 11/8/2016 | - | |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Alaska State Legislature website, accessed April 8, 2014
- ↑ State of Alaska Division of Elections, "Initiative Petition Process," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Initiative, Referendum and Recall," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2015-16 Initiatives and Referenda Handbook," accessed January 11, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "2015-2017 Election Dates Calendar," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2016 Calendar," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Chicagoelections.com, "2016 Election Calendar," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "Deadlines for Current Citizen Initiatives," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Maryland.gov, " 2016 Presidential Election Calendar," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ December 2, 2015, is the deadline for certified initiative signature petitions to be submitted to the secretary of state. Petitions are due to local registrars of voters two weeks prior to that deadline. For referendums, petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state within 90 days of the governor signing the targeted law.
- ↑ Mass.gov, "Initiative Petition Process, 2015-2016," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ For referendums, signatures must be submitted 90 days after the legislature that passed the act adjourns. 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislature.
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Initiatives," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Make Your Voice Heard," accessed December 28, 2015
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Ballot Issue Calendar," accessed December 30, 2015
- ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "Initiatives & Referenda," accessed January 6, 2016
- ↑ Referendums must be filed no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature that passed the law.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Elections Calendar," accessed February 10, 2016
- ↑ The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
- ↑ The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
- ↑ The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
- ↑ The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
- ↑ The primary for U.S. congressional elections was rescheduled to June 7, 2016, following legal challenges to North Carolina's district maps. State races were unaffected.
