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Cortland County Board of Elections 112 River Street, Suite 1 Cortland, NY 13045-2828 Tel: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] Robert C. Howe, Commissioner Thomas H. Brown, Commissioner INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES HOW TO FILE AN INDEPENDENT PETITION FOR GENERAL ELECTION • All petitions must be on a form approved by the Cortland County Board of Elections. The forms must comply with the Election law of the State of New York. • Petitions are available at the Board of Elections office or over the Internet at the Board web site. www.cortland-co.org. • An independent petition may be signed and witnessed by any qualified voter in the political unit that the candidate is running, provided that the signer has not signed a petition for anyone else running for that particular office. The signer may not sign any more petitions designating a greater number of candidates for public office or party position than the number of persons to be elected at that election. • Candidates must choose a name and symbol for the independent body making the nomination or circulating the designating petition. • The symbol and name of the independent body must not be used by any other party or already be in use. Any candidate should check with the Board of Election prior to selecting an independent symbol. • The symbol must be attached to and visible on the first page of each designating petition. • In the event two candidates for the same office have selected the same symbol or name. See 138 – 3a attached. • All candidates or independent parties must comply with all financial filing requirements and should consult with the board of Election for forms and times for filing. DATES FOR FILING • First day to sign an independent petition • First day to file the petition Please check current political calendar for • Last Day to file the petition dates- www. elections.ny.gov • Last Day to accept/decline nomination The number of signatures required for each office necessary is available. Please consult with the Board of Elections to verify any office and the number required prior to filing the petition.