Virginia State Senator Nicholas Cote (D-Alexandria) has introduced SB 1236, which cuts the statewide petition requirement from 10,000 to 5,000, for independent candidates and for the nominees of unqualified parties. President is already 5,000, but all the other statewide offices are currently 10,000.
The bill also cuts the requirement for statewide candidates seeking to get on a primary ballot.
The bill has a hearing in the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee on Tuesday, January 17. Thanks to Nicholas Cote for this news.