LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker is trying to repeal a recent state law that made it substantially more difficult for independent candidates to qualify for the ballot in statewide races.

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha presented the measure Friday to the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

The bill seeks to undo a 2016 law that raised the signature threshold for nonpartisan candidates from 4,000 signatures to more than 100,000. Wayne says restoring the original requirement would promote competition.

Opponents of his bill say the current requirement is appropriate because party-affiliated candidates must win a substantial number of votes during primary elections to qualify for the general election ballot.