Georgia's Ballot Access Process Thanks to H. Jeff Lanier , former Director of the Elections Division, Secretary of State's office. He spent three or more hours with me helping me to understand this process. -- Hugh Esco When an independent political organization wishes to organize as a party, run candidates and do the work necessary to get and stay on the ballot, this is what the Election Code of Georgia requires of them: Adopt by-laws or similar governing documents Division examines documents OCGA 21-2-172(b) standards for documents in OCGA 21-2-172(c) rules for notice for Nominating Convention & lead for adoption of by-laws OCGA 21-2-172(e) Register as a political body w/ Elections Division within 60 days; and at least 30 days before holding a nominating convention process is governed by OCGA 21-2-110, 172(a) Begin circulating Pauper's petitions at the earliest 180 days before Friday after 4th Monday in June this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-132(g)(4)   Begin circulating Qualifying petitions at the earliest 180 days before 2nd Tuesday of July (Qualifying) this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-170(d)   (It was H. Jeff Lanier's interpretation of the law that a group could launch a petition drive before adopting governing documents and registering with the Elections Division.)   Adopt and File Governing Documents at least 30 days before a nominating convention this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-172(c)   Convene a nominating convention at least 150 days before the General Election this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-172(c)   Qualifying for political body candidates 4th Monday of June through next Friday at noon process governed by OCGA 21-2-130 and 132(c)   To qualify, a candidate must present: A notice of candidacy (OCGA 21-2-132(e)) Qualifying fee or pauper's affidavit (OCGA 21-2-132 (f) and (g)) A letter from officers of political body certifying candidate's nomination (OCGA 21-2-130(2)) Present Qualifying Petitions not later than noon of the 2d Tuesday of July this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-132(d)   General Primary - 3d Tuesday of July this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-150   General Election - Tuesday after the First Monday of November this process is governed by OCGA 21-2-2(12) For Statewide Candidates I. If the body nominates its candidates by convention the process is governed by OCGA 21-2-180 The body must either present petitions with valid signatures representing 1% of the number of voters who were eligible and registered during the last general election; or a candidate for statewide office must have achieved a vote at the polls in the preceding election that is equivalent to 1% of the number of voters who were eligible and registered during the last general election.   II. If the body does not nominate by convention the process is governed by OCGA 21-2-170 A single candidate may achieve ballot access for their candidacy and their party by presenting petitions with valid signatures representing 1% of the number of voters who were eligible and registered during the last election for the office that candidate is contesting. For Other than Statewide Candidates I. For all candidates for other than statewide office the process is governed by OCGA 21-2-170 A candidate may achieve ballot access for their candidacy and their party by presenting petitions with valid signatures of voters registered in the district for which the candidate is running which represent 5% of the number of voters who were eligible and registered during the last election for the office that candidate is contesting.   The Ten Key Values: Ecological Wisdom • Grassroots Democracy • Social Justice • Peace and Non-Violence Decentralization • Community-Based Economics • Feminism • Respect for Diversity Personal & Global Responsibility • Future Focus on Sustainability Georgia Green Party P.O. Box 5332; Atlanta, GA 31107  770/ 635-3496 or 877/ GREEN-09  (vm & fax)  ggp@greens.org•http://www.greens.org/georgia/