Any qualified elector who is not a registered member of a political party that is recognized pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 16-801 through 16-804 may be nominated as a candidate for public office otherwise than by primary election or by party committee pursuant to this section.
(a) Any person desiring to become a candidate for any city office shall be qualified pursuant to section 12-64 of this code and shall file nomination petitions with the city clerk at the city clerk's office, or at a location specified by the city clerk.
(b) The nomination petition shall conform as nearly as possible to the provisions relating to nomination petitions of candidates to be voted for at primary elections.
(c) The number of valid signatures must be at least three percent (3%) of the total number of registered voters who are NOT members of a qualified political party. For council member candidates, the total is calculated using the total number of registered voters in the ward for which the candidate is seeking office.
(d) The percentage of registered voters necessary to sign the nomination other than by primary petition shall be determined by the total number of registered voters as of March 1 of the year in which the general election is held.
(e) The nomination paper, declaration and financial disclosure statement must be filed together, not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days before the primary election day.
(f) Except in cases where the liability is being appealed, the city clerk shall not accept the nomination paper of a candidate if the person is liable for an aggregation of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more in fines, penalties, late fees or administrative or civil judgments, including any interest or costs, in any combination, that have not been fully satisfied at the time of the attempted filing of the nomination paper and the liability arose from failure to comply with or enforcement of this code.
(g) If, after the verification of the qualifications pursuant to section 12-64(d) of this code, it is determined that the individual is not qualified pursuant to sections 12-64(a-c), the city clerk shall reject the nomination paper, declaration and financial disclosure statement of the individual.
(Ord. No. 11525, § 2, 2-21-18)