All Roll Calls
Yes: 261 • No: 89
Sponsored By: Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic)
Became Law
Elections; primary election; when filings to be made; extension for incumbents failure to file. Provides that if an incumbent office holder fails to file the necessary paperwork to qualify to be on the ballot for a primary election for the office he holds by the deadline for filing such paperwork, then the deadline for such paperwork is extended by five days for any filer other than the incumbent. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
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Beginning January 1, 2027, most party primary candidates file with their party committee chair. Candidates for U.S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General file with the State Board. They must submit a declaration, sealed petition containers with a sworn signature count, and a filing‑fee receipt. The State Board notifies the state party chair and makes materials available within 72 hours and no later than the 74th day before the primary. Only the state party chair may open the sealed petitions.
Beginning January 1, 2027, party chairs must give the State Board and registrars candidate names, certify minimum petition signatures, and certify each candidate’s filing order, date, and time for ballot printing. Chairs must do this at least 70 days before the primary, or 69 days if the filing deadline was extended under the incumbent no‑file rule. For U.S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, the State Board sets the filing order. A candidate may not certify candidates for the same office; the party must name another official.
Beginning January 1, 2027, primary candidates must file within a fixed window. Filings open at noon on the 92nd day before the primary and close at 5:00 p.m. on the 75th day. If the incumbent for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, state senator, delegate, local governing body, mayor, or a constitutional office has not filed by 5:00 p.m. on the 75th day, or withdraws by then, any non‑incumbent may file until 5:00 p.m. on the 70th day.
Stella G. Pekarsky
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 261 • No: 89
House vote • 4/22/2026
House concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 79 • No: 19
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 23 • No: 16
House vote • 3/4/2026
Passed House
Yes: 76 • No: 23
House vote • 2/27/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 11 • No: 9 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/2/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 23 • No: 17
Senate vote • 1/30/2026
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 9 • No: 5
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (79-Y 19-N 0-A)
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0990)
Reenrolled bill text (SB126ER2)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 990 (Effective 1/1/2027)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Governor's recommendation adopted
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB126)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB126ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House (76-Y 23-N 0-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Privileges and Elections (11-Y 9-N 1-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Chaptered
4/22/2026
Reenrolled
4/22/2026
Substitute
4/14/2026
Gov Recommendation
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/10/2026
Introduced
1/5/2026
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