H.B. 361: Elections Provisions Amendments

About this bill

Signed by the governor on March 24, 2026. This bill amends provisions relating to elections.

• Defines terms
• Modifies the conditions and requirements for a ballot to list a candidate using a variation of the candidate's name or a nickname
• Modifies, consolidates, recodifies, and adds provisions relating to: notices of offices to be filled at upcoming elections; notices of candidate filing periods; notices of candidates to be included on a ballot and other instructions relating to a ballot; notices of election; and other notices relating to elections
• Modifies certain declaration of candidacy periods: to coincide with the declaration of candidacy periods for municipal primary elections and municipal general elections; and to make declaration of candidacy periods for all registered political parties the same, regardless of whether the registered political party is a qualified political party
• Beginning on January 1, 2027, prohibits a county clerk's or election officer's name from: inclusion in the official endorsement for a ballot; inclusion on a return envelope for a ballot; or inclusion on a ballot, except to the extent that the county clerk or election officer is listed as a candidate on the ballot
• Modifies certain deadlines set at a specific date to instead occur on a business day

Full bill page: steps, fiscal note and sponsors · Chief sponsor Lisa Shepherd