Why 3/5: Establishes new legal deadlines for candidate challenges, impacting election administration and candidate eligibility processes.
This bill establishes specific deadlines for filing legal challenges to a candidate's qualifications to appear on the ballot, requiring such actions to be filed well in advance of general, primary, and special elections. It also prevents challenges to primary-nominated candidates based on facts known before the primary, aiming to streamline the election process and ensure timely resolution of eligibility disputes.
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Update
Placed on Calendar
First reading
Read first time
Cleared committee
Reported from Privileges and Elections (14-Y 7-N)
Second reading
Read second time
Passed a chamber
Passed House (63-Y 36-N 0-A)
Third reading
Read third time
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB169ER)
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Candidates for office; challenges to candidate qualifications.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB169)
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 882 (effective 7/1/2026)