Any candidate may withdraw as a candidate only upon the filing of a written notice of withdrawal as a candidate with the secretary of the election board which accepted such candidate's declaration of candidacy. Such notice shall be signed by the candidate or a lawfully appointed personal representative or a lawfully appointed special administrator of any deceased candidate, whose signature shall be notarized by a notary public, and shall be filed on or before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day following the close of the filing period prescribed by law.