NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96 (2026)

quot;Political party" defined; creation of new party

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Definition. - A political party within the meaning of the election laws of this State shall be one of the following:

(1) Any group of voters which, at the last preceding general State election, polled for its candidate for Governor, or for presidential electors, at least two percent (2%) of the entire vote cast in the State for Governor or for presidential electors.

(2) Any group of voters which shall have filed with the State Board of Elections petitions for the formulation of a new political party which are signed by registered and qualified voters in this State equal in number to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent general election for Governor. Also the petition must be signed by at least 200 registered voters from each of three congressional districts in North Carolina. To be effective, the petitioners must file their petitions with the State Board of Elections before 12:00 noon on the first day of June preceding the day on which is to be held the first general State election in which the new political party desires to participate. The State Board of Elections shall forthwith determine the sufficiency of petitions filed with it and shall immediately communicate its determination to the State chair of the proposed new political party.

(3) Any group of voters which shall have filed with the State Board of Elections documentation that the group of voters had a candidate nominated by that group on the general election ballot of at least seventy percent (70%) of the states in the prior Presidential election. To be effective, the group must file their documentation with the State Board of Elections before 12:00 noon on the first day of June preceding the day on which is to be held the first general State election in which the new political party desires to participate. The State Board of Elections shall forthwith verify the documentation filed with it and shall immediately communicate its determination to the State chair of the proposed new political party.

(b) Petitions for New Political Party. - Petitions for the creation of a new political party shall contain on the heading of each page of the petition in bold print or all in capital letters the words: "THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTERED VOTERS IN ____ COUNTY HEREBY PETITION FOR THE FORMATION OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY TO BE NAMED ____ AND WHOSE STATE CHAIRMAN IS ______, RESIDING AT ______ AND WHO CAN BE REACHED BY TELEPHONE AT ____."

All printing required to appear on the heading of the petition shall be in type no smaller than 10 point or in all capital letters, double spaced typewriter size. In addition to the form of the petition, the organizers and petition circulators shall inform the signers of the general purpose and intent of the new party.

The petitions must specify the name selected for the proposed political party. The State Board of Elections shall reject petitions for the formation of a new party if the name chosen contains any word that appears in the name of any existing political party recognized in this State or if, in the State Board's opinion, the name is so similar to that of an existing political party recognized in this State as to confuse or mislead the voters at an election.

The petitions must state the name and address of the State chairman of the proposed new political party.

(c) Each petition shall be presented to the chairman of the board of elections of the county in which the signatures were obtained, and it shall be the chairman's duty:

(1) To examine the signatures on the petition and place a check mark on the petition by the name of each signer who is qualified and registered to vote in his county.

(2) To attach to the petition his signed certificate

a. Stating that the signatures on the petition have been checked against the registration records and

b. Indicating the number found qualified and registered to vote in his county.

(3) To return each petition, together with the certificate required by the preceding subdivision, to the person who presented it to him for checking.

The group of petitioners shall submit the petitions to the chairman of the county board of elections in the county in which the signatures were obtained no later than 5:00 P.M. on the fifteenth day preceding the date the petitions are due to be filed with the State Board of Elections as provided in subsection [subdivision] (a)(2) of this section. Provided the petitions are timely submitted, the chairman of the county board of elections shall proceed to examine and verify the signatures under the provisions of this subsection. Verification shall be completed within two weeks from the date such petitions are presented. (1901, c. 89, s. 85; Rev., s. 4292; 1915, c. 101, s. 31; 1917, c. 218; C.S., ss. 5913, 6052; 1933, c. 165, ss. 1, 17; 1949, c. 671, ss. 1, 2; 1967, c. 775, s. 1; 1975, c. 179; 1979, c. 411, s. 3; 1981, c. 219, ss. 1-3; 1983, c. 576, ss. 1-3; 1997-456, s. 27; 1999-424, s. 5(a); 2004-127, s. 14; 2006-234, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2017-214, s. 1; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1970–2024 · leading case: Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011).
Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011). · cites it 157× “For the 2008 election, a party [had to] submit 69,734 signatures from registered voters in order to gain recognition as a political party pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-96. These signatures [had to] be submitted to the State Board of Elections by the first day of June.”
Libertarian Party of Nc v. State, 688 S.E.2d 700 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 146× “However, I disagree with the majority's determination *710 that N.C. Gen.Stat. §§ 163-96 and 163-97 ("the ballot access statutes") do not violate the North Carolina Constitution ("the State Constitution") and therefore, I must respectfully dissent from that portion of the…”
Delaney v. Bartlett, 370 F. Supp. 2d 373 (M.D.N.C. 2004). · cites it 19× “North Carolina General Statute § 163-96 also requires new parties to submit their petitions fifteen days early for signature verification.”
McLaughlin v. North Carolina Bd. of Elections, 850 F. Supp. 373 (M.D.N.C. 1994). · cites it 41× “At that time, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96 required a new political party to obtain 10,-000 signatures on a petition in order to be recognized and gain access to the ballot.”
North Carolina Socialist Workers Party v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections, 538 F. Supp. 864 (E.D.N.C. 1982). · cites it 16× “” N.C.G.S. § 163-96{a). Such a petition is the only means by which a new political party may obtain a ballot position.”
Gregory Buscemi v. Karen Brinson Bell, 964 F.3d 252 (4th Cir. 2020). “See N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96 (a)(2), -122(a)(1); Pisano, 743 F.”
Greaves v. State Bd. of Elections of North Carolina, 508 F. Supp. 78 (E.D.N.C. 1980). · cites it 6× “G.S. §§ 163-96(a), -98. There does not appear to be a deadline for the major parties to select their Presidential candidates, beyond the provision that the ballots be printed and distributed to the county boards of election 60 days before the election.”
Green Party of Arkansas v. Martin, 649 F.3d 675 (8th Cir. 2011). “§ 1-1-9 (West); New York Election Law § 1-104(3) (McKinney); N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-96 (a) (West); Ohio Rev.”
Repub. Party of North Carolina v. Hunt, 841 F. Supp. 722 (E.D.N.C. 1994). · cites it 2× “STATEMENT OF THE CASE Plaintiffs 1 herein include the Republican Party of North Carolina, a statutorily recognized political party, see N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96, individual North Carolina voters *723 registered as Republicans, and individual North Carolina voters who, although not…”
Ortiz II v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections (E.D.N.C. 2024). · cites it 28× “North Carolina’s ballot access scheme for new political parties To be certified as a new party and place its candidates on the 2624 general election ballot, JFA had to comply with North Carolina’s statutory scheme for new political parties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96…”
Wilson v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections, 317 F. Supp. 1299 (M.D.N.C. 1970). ““When any senatorial district consists of two or more counties, in one or more of which the manner of nominating candidates for legislative offices is regulated by statute, and the privilege of selecting the candidate for Senator, or any one of the candidates for Senator, of any…”
Brown v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections, 394 F. Supp. 359 (W.D.N.C. 1975). · cites it 2× “The defendants contend that the plaintiff may gain access to the ballot without the payment of a filing fee in the following ways: (1) secure 10,000 signatures of registered voters on a petition to create a political party, G.S. § 163-96, and if he obtains the nomination of such…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(a) — 3 cases
Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011). “For the 2008 election, a party [had to] submit 69,734 signatures from registered voters in order to gain recognition as a political party pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-96. These signatures [had to] be submitted to the State Board of Elections by the first day of June.”
McLaughlin v. North Carolina Bd. of Elections, 850 F. Supp. 373 (M.D.N.C. 1994). “At that time, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96 required a new political party to obtain 10,-000 signatures on a petition in order to be recognized and gain access to the ballot.”
Greaves v. State Bd. of Elections of North Carolina, 508 F. Supp. 78 (E.D.N.C. 1980). “G.S. §§ 163-96(a), -98. There does not appear to be a deadline for the major parties to select their Presidential candidates, beyond the provision that the ballots be printed and distributed to the county boards of election 60 days before the election.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(a)(1) — 3 cases
Libertarian Party of Nc v. State, 688 S.E.2d 700 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). “However, I disagree with the majority's determination *710 that N.C. Gen.Stat. §§ 163-96 and 163-97 ("the ballot access statutes") do not violate the North Carolina Constitution ("the State Constitution") and therefore, I must respectfully dissent from that portion of the…”
Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011). “For the 2008 election, a party [had to] submit 69,734 signatures from registered voters in order to gain recognition as a political party pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-96. These signatures [had to] be submitted to the State Board of Elections by the first day of June.”
Delaney v. Bartlett, 370 F. Supp. 2d 373 (M.D.N.C. 2004). “North Carolina General Statute § 163-96 also requires new parties to submit their petitions fifteen days early for signature verification.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(a)(2) — 9 cases
Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011). “For the 2008 election, a party [had to] submit 69,734 signatures from registered voters in order to gain recognition as a political party pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-96. These signatures [had to] be submitted to the State Board of Elections by the first day of June.”
Libertarian Party of Nc v. State, 688 S.E.2d 700 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). “However, I disagree with the majority's determination *710 that N.C. Gen.Stat. §§ 163-96 and 163-97 ("the ballot access statutes") do not violate the North Carolina Constitution ("the State Constitution") and therefore, I must respectfully dissent from that portion of the…”
McLaughlin v. North Carolina Bd. of Elections, 850 F. Supp. 373 (M.D.N.C. 1994). “At that time, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96 required a new political party to obtain 10,-000 signatures on a petition in order to be recognized and gain access to the ballot.”
Delaney v. Bartlett, 370 F. Supp. 2d 373 (M.D.N.C. 2004). “North Carolina General Statute § 163-96 also requires new parties to submit their petitions fifteen days early for signature verification.”
Greaves v. State Bd. of Elections of North Carolina, 508 F. Supp. 78 (E.D.N.C. 1980). “G.S. §§ 163-96(a), -98. There does not appear to be a deadline for the major parties to select their Presidential candidates, beyond the provision that the ballots be printed and distributed to the county boards of election 60 days before the election.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(a)(l) — 5 cases
Libertarian Party v. State, 707 S.E.2d 199 (N.C. 2011). “For the 2008 election, a party [had to] submit 69,734 signatures from registered voters in order to gain recognition as a political party pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-96. These signatures [had to] be submitted to the State Board of Elections by the first day of June.”
Libertarian Party of Nc v. State, 688 S.E.2d 700 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). “However, I disagree with the majority's determination *710 that N.C. Gen.Stat. §§ 163-96 and 163-97 ("the ballot access statutes") do not violate the North Carolina Constitution ("the State Constitution") and therefore, I must respectfully dissent from that portion of the…”
McLaughlin v. North Carolina Bd. of Elections, 850 F. Supp. 373 (M.D.N.C. 1994). “At that time, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96 required a new political party to obtain 10,-000 signatures on a petition in order to be recognized and gain access to the ballot.”
Greaves v. State Bd. of Elections of North Carolina, 508 F. Supp. 78 (E.D.N.C. 1980). “G.S. §§ 163-96(a), -98. There does not appear to be a deadline for the major parties to select their Presidential candidates, beyond the provision that the ballots be printed and distributed to the county boards of election 60 days before the election.”
New All. Party v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections, 697 F. Supp. 904 (E.D.N.C. 1988).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(b) — 3 cases
North Carolina Socialist Workers Party v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections, 538 F. Supp. 864 (E.D.N.C. 1982). “” N.C.G.S. § 163-96{a). Such a petition is the only means by which a new political party may obtain a ballot position.”
McLaughlin v. North Carolina Bd. of Elections, 850 F. Supp. 373 (M.D.N.C. 1994). “At that time, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 163-96 required a new political party to obtain 10,-000 signatures on a petition in order to be recognized and gain access to the ballot.”
Ortiz II v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections (E.D.N.C. 2024). “North Carolina’s ballot access scheme for new political parties To be certified as a new party and place its candidates on the 2624 general election ballot, JFA had to comply with North Carolina’s statutory scheme for new political parties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(bl) — 1 case
Delaney v. Bartlett, 370 F. Supp. 2d 373 (M.D.N.C. 2004). “North Carolina General Statute § 163-96 also requires new parties to submit their petitions fifteen days early for signature verification.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(c) — 1 case
Ortiz II v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections (E.D.N.C. 2024). “North Carolina’s ballot access scheme for new political parties To be certified as a new party and place its candidates on the 2624 general election ballot, JFA had to comply with North Carolina’s statutory scheme for new political parties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(c)(1) — 1 case
Ortiz II v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections (E.D.N.C. 2024). “North Carolina’s ballot access scheme for new political parties To be certified as a new party and place its candidates on the 2624 general election ballot, JFA had to comply with North Carolina’s statutory scheme for new political parties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-96(c)(2) — 1 case
Ortiz II v. North Carolina State Bd. of Elections (E.D.N.C. 2024). “North Carolina’s ballot access scheme for new political parties To be certified as a new party and place its candidates on the 2624 general election ballot, JFA had to comply with North Carolina’s statutory scheme for new political parties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-96…”
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