2012 House Bill 5840

Restrict candidate party-switch gamesmanship

Introduced in the House

Aug. 15, 2012

Introduced by Rep. Thomas Hooker (R-77)

To set the reelection filing deadline for incumbent legislators (and some other offices) to a date two weeks before the deadline for challengers. If a lone challenger from the other party withdraws, the non-incumbent filing deadline would be extended an additional two days. This is in response to the situation of Rep. Roy Schmidt, who switched parties on the filing deadline date, leaving no Democratic challenger for this legislative district. See also House-passed version of House Bill 4907.

Referred to the Committee on Redistricting and Elections