Nominating petitions refer to a process in which individuals or groups gather signatures from registered voters in order to place their name on an election ballot. This is typically done for political offices, such as governor, senator, or president. The number of required signatures varies depending on the jurisdiction and office being sought.
The purpose of nominating petitions is to provide a way for candidates who are not affiliated with established political parties to appear on the ballot alongside party-backed candidates. This allows for more diverse representation in elections, as it enables independent or third-party candidates to run for office without having to go through the lengthy and expensive process of petitioning to create a new political party.
Overall, nominating petitions are an important tool that helps ensure fairness and accessibility in the electoral process by providing an alternative pathway to the ballot for those who may not align with traditional political parties.