CIVICS 101: BALLOT PETITIONS
Each week, we will answer a short question about a point of confusion on American civics that D2DD trustees and members have encountered in the field.
This week's question comes straight from the March 8 Rally for Our Rights events, where petition circulators were attempting to get ballot signatures for a variety of primary campaigns:
Q: I thought my candidate was already running and on the primary ballot. Why do they need to get signatures from us? Are they in trouble?
A: Not at all!
All candidates have to get a certain number of signatures from registered members of their party to qualify for the primary ballot. In many cases, candidates already have enough signatures to get on the ballot – but it often can be helpful for them to get as many as possible. There will always be some signatures that are disqualified. And getting an abundance of signatures can point towards a campaign’s strength and vitality.
This year’s candidates have until Monday, March 24 to get the required signatures, notarize them, and return them to the appropriate authority.
