from Ballot Access News
North Carolina Ballot Access Bill Passes House
On June 7, the North Carolina House passed HB 32, which lowers the number of signatures for previously unqualified parties, and independent candidates. Existing law requires over 85,000 signatures for statewide independent candidates, or new parties. The bill lowers that (for 2012) to approximately 18,000 signatures.
The vote was 66-50. The only legislator who spoke against the bill was Edgar V. Starnes (R-Caldwell) who said that it is bad for society to let anyone participate in electoral politics outside of the Democratic and Republican Parties. The bill now goes to the Senate. The Senate will probably adjourn on June 19. However, if the bill doesn’t pass this year, it will still be alive in 2012, because North Carolina has two-year legislative sessions.