Can candidates submit additional signatures in lieu of the filing fee requirement?
Yes. There are different signature number requirements for major Democratic/Republican and minor political party candidates as well as independents. Candidates that are from the two major political parties can avoid the cost of the filing fee by submitting 10,000 signatures from any registered voter. Candidates from so-called minor political parties can avoid the filing fee cost by submitting 150 signatures from members of their own party. Independents or “decline to state” candidates may submit 10,000 signatures from registered voters who are not affiliated with a qualified political party.
