1. (a) The circuit court clerk with whom the petition of nomination has been filed by a county voter registration office under section 5 of this chapter shall:

   1. (1) determine whether a sufficient number of signatures as required by section 2 of this chapter have been obtained; and

   2. (2) do one (1) of the following:

      1. (A) If the petition includes a sufficient number of signatures, certify the petition.
      2. (B) If the petition has an insufficient number of signatures, deny the certification.

2. (b) If the circuit court clerk with whom the petition was filed denies certification under subsection (a), the clerk shall notify the candidate immediately:

   1. (1) in person, if the candidate files the petition in person; or
   2. (2) by certified mail.

3. (c) A candidate may contest the denial of certification based on:

   1. (1) the county voter registration office's failure to certify individual signers as qualified petitioners; or

   2. (2) the determination by the clerk that the petition has an insufficient number of signatures;

      using the procedure in IC 3-8-1-2 and section 7 of this chapter that applies to questions concerning the validity of a petition of nomination.

As added by P.L.194-2013, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.201-2017, SEC.9.