On June 20, the California Senate Elections Committee heard AB 469, which shrinks the amount of time to collect signatures in lieu of the candidate filing fee, but somewhat lowers the number of signatures needed. As passed by the Assembly, the bill requires 7,000 signatures for statewide office; 2,000 for State Senate and U.S. House; and 1,000 for Assembly.

The Senate Committee passed the bill, but only after the author agreed to lower the number of signatures further. The amended bill will require 1,800 for State Senate and U.S. House, and 900 for Assembly. The committee didn’t really clarify what the amended bill will require for statewide office, but it is somewhat probable that it will be close to 6,500. This outcome would not have occurred without the skilled lobbying of the Peace and Freedom and Green Parties, and Californians for Electoral Reform.