SB169Introduced in the Senate
Candidates for office; challenges to candidate qualifications.
Introduced by Stella Pekarsky, District 36
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Elections; candidates for office; challenges to candidate qualifications. Requires any legal action relating to a person's eligibility to appear on the ballot on the basis that such person did not meet all qualifications or fulfill all requirements for candidacy to be filed in a circuit court and served on all parties (i) at least 90 days before the date of a general election; (ii) at least 65 days before the date of a primary election; (iii) at least 70 days before the date of a special election held on the same date as the general election; or (iv) for any special election held at a time other than a general election, (a) at least 55 days before the date of the special election or (b) within 10 days of any writ of election or order calling for a special election to be held less than 60 days after the issuance of the writ or order. The bill specifies that any such legal action will be given precedence on the docket and be decided by the circuit court no later than 10 days before the date on which ballots for that election are made available for absentee voting. The bill also specifies that candidates who are nominated at a primary election cannot be later challenged on the basis of facts that were present prior to the primary election and could have been raised in a challenge to such candidate's eligibility for the primary ballot.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0882)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Passed House (63-Y 36-N 0-A) · March 4, 2026
63
Yes
36
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100612D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)
Read first time
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 16-N 0-A)
Passed Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB169)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (14-Y 7-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Passed House (63-Y 36-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB169ER)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB169)
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 882 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0882)
Verify the information
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