Amends TCA Title 2.

Current state elections law defines "recognized minor party" as any group or association that has successfully petitioned by filing with the coordinator of elections a petition which must conform to requirements established by the coordinator of elections, but which must at a minimum bear the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 2.5 percent of the total number of votes cast for gubernatorial candidates in the most recent election of governor, and on each page of the petition, state its purpose, state its name, and contain the names of registered voters from a single county.<br /> <br /> This bill deletes this provision and substitutes, instead, the following: "Recognized minor party" means a group or association that has successfully petitioned by filing with the coordinator of elections a petition that conforms to requirements established by the coordinator of elections and that bears the signatures of registered voters equal to at least:<br /> <br /> (1) To be a recognized minor party in a statewide election, 500 signatures from registered voters of this state;<br /> <br /> (2) To be a recognized minor party in an election for a seat in either house of the general assembly, 250 signatures from registered voters within the respective senate or house of representatives district; and<br /> <br /> (3) To be a recognized minor party in an election for another public office, 125 signatures from registered voters within the district that the prospective party candidate would represent.<br /> <br /> RECOGNITION PROCEDURE<br /> <br /> Current law requires that in order to establish a recognized minor party solely within one county, a petition must at a minimum bear the signatures of registered voters within such county equal to at least 2.5 percent of the total number of votes cast within such county for gubernatorial candidates in the most recent election for governor. This bill deletes this provision and provides, instead, that the petition must conform to the requirements established pursuant to the new definition for "recognized minor party" as described above.<br /> <br /> PARTY ESTABLISHED SOLELY IN ONE COUNTY<br /> <br /> Present law requires that if a minor party gains recognition solely within one county, in order to be recognized as a minor party for all primary and general elections in the current election year, at least one candidate for the recognized minor party must have received a number of votes equal to at least 5 percent of the total number of votes cast for candidates for the office of county mayor in the most recent election for such office. <br /> <br /> Additionally, to maintain recognition beyond the current election year, a party must meet the requirements of a statewide political party as defined in the law relative to political party organization. This bill removes this provision, so that if a petition is determined to be sufficient by the coordinator of elections, such party must be recognized as a minor party for all remaining primary and general elections in the current election year.<br />