Paul Goldman, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Del. Lee Carter, a prospective Democratic candidate for governor, are suing state elections officials, hoping to reduce the signature requirement to get on next yearâs primary ballot amid the pandemic.
In order to qualify for the ballot under state law, a candidate for governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general must obtain 10,000 signatures from qualified voters, including at least 400 from each of the stateâs 11 congressional districts.
The suit, filed this week in Richmond Circuit Court, argues that the requirement is untenable given the pandemic. It asks the court to change the signature rules for this year only, cutting the requirement to 2,000 statewide and removing the signature requirement for congressional districts. It also asks the court to require state elections officials to set up procedures for candidates to collect and submit petition signatures online.