Summary
Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including a reasonable monetary fee or deposit.
Obligations
Election Parts
Issues
Quotes
- Conditions relating to nomination dates, fees or deposits should be reasonable and not discriminatory.
- Monetary deposits should be of a sufficient amount to discourage frivolous political parties and independent candidates, but should not be so high as to prevent legitimate political parties and independent candidates from obtaining ballot access. Additionally, monetary deposits should be refundable upon receiving a certain number or percentage of voters. The threshold required for a refund should be reasonable.
- If a deposit is required, it must be refundable should the candidate or party exceed a certain score; the sum and the score requested should not be excessive.
- ...[M]onetary deposits should be of a sufficient level to discourage frivolous independent candidates and political parties, but should not be so high as to prevent legitimate political parties or independent candidates from obtaining ballot access. Additionally, monetary deposits should be refundable upon a reasonable number or percentage of votes being received.
- The election law will require parties and candidates to formally register as contestants in an election…Registration requirements should be clear and predictable and should not involve potentially discriminatory demands such as excessive deposits or an unreasonable number of names on registration petitions.
- There is another procedure where candidates or parties must pay a deposit, which is only refunded if the candidate or party concerned goes on to win more than a certain percentage of the vote. Such practices appear to be more effective than collecting signatures. However, the amount of the deposit and the number of votes needed for it to be reimbursed should not be excessive.
- Monetary deposits may be of a sufficient amount to discourage frivolous candidacies but should not be so high as to prevent legitimate political parties or independent candidates from obtaining access to the ballot.