Election season is rapidly approaching. Candidates for the April 2021 election can start circulating nominating petitions on September 22, 2020. Candidates should carefully check compliance with the rules and deadlines:
- Monday, December 14, 2020. The first day for candidates to file their nominating petitions, statement of candidacy and receipt of filing of Statement of Economic Interests.
- Monday, December 21, 2020. Last day for candidates to file. Names are placed on the ballot in the order in which the nominating papers are received. However, for those who were in line when the office opens on the first day and also those who filed in last hour of the filing period, a lottery is held to determine the order on the ballot.
- Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Last day to file objections to nominating petitions.
- Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Last day for the ballot placement lottery.
- Thursday, January 28, 2021. Last day candidate may file Withdrawal of Candidacy in the office of the local election official, election authority, or the State Board of Elections.
- Thursday, February 4, 2021. Last day to file a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate with the appropriate election authority or authorities.
- Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Last day for the county clerk or county board of election commissioners to canvass the election results, and transmit the results.
Election laws can sometimes be robotically applied with harsh results. Be mindful that the deadlines and rules associated with petitions are not discretionary and can be used in objections to disqualify potential candidates. We recommend that you check in with an experienced election attorney to make sure that your campaign stays on the right track.
For more information about this article, contact Tressler attorney John O’Driscoll [1] at jodriscoll@tresslerllp.com [2].