Answer:
Sometimes a nominating petition is required in order for an independent or non-major-party candidate to gain ballot access. A certain number of valid signatures are required by statute in order for the candidate to get on the ballot. Hence it is necessary to get a certain number of signs in order to assure getting on the ballot, as some signatures may be illegible, incomplete, of individuals not registered to vote, or not in the candidate's electoral district, or otherwise invalid.