Proposed Georgia Bill Would Make Third-Party Candidacy Easier

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February 19th, 2019

For all district races in Georgia, hopeful candidates need 5 percent of active voters to sign a petition. Statewide candidates need 1 percent. That policy, among other requirements, can control how third-party candidates get their names on the ballot. A proposed state bill would change the signature requirement for all public offices to 1 percent of active voters, or 200 people, whichever is less.

Mike Stewart / Associated Press file

Georgia has some of the country’s most restrictive ballot-access policies. Those policies control how third-party candidates can get their names on the ballot. And some lawmakers at the state Capitol want to change that.

Luanne Taylor lives in Johns Creek, north of Atlanta, and is a lifelong independent. But she’s really never been able to vote for an independent, so she asked the question: “Why was it so hard for an independent to appear on the ballot? So I signed up, paid $400, went through the process, and now I know.”

Taylor tried to qualify to run for her state House seat last year.

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