Registration details, requirements, and deadlines

[Samuel M-B]

Here is the form: (pdf)

http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/GetDocument.aspx?id=271

First, some requirements to even begin collecting signatures:

We need:

1. a state-level party name (Pirate Party North Carolina I suggest,
let's talk but keep moving) - a separate discussion thread will be
created for this
2. a state chairman. I hope we see SEVERAL people step up to do this.
- a separate discussion thread will be created for this

And by the law:

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-96.html

"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."

We would need:

3. the general purpose and intent of the new party

Second, the actual requirements for people signing the form:

1. they do NOT have to change their voter registry to the new party or
promise to vote for it, only that the party should be allowed to field
candidates
2. they MUST be a registered and qualified voter (I propose that we
look into doing a simultaneous voter registration drive) - a separate
discussion thread will be created for the registration drive topic

Lastly on requirements, the number of signatures needed is 2% of the
last vote for governor. Per:

http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/7937/14537/en/summary.html

The total number of votes for governor was: 4,268,941, leaving 2% to
be: 85378.82 -- so over 85,000 signatures. With disallowed signees
(wrong county, not registered or eligible, etc.) a higher number of
total signatures are needed.

One other thing which should happen in the course of things, but to be
fully clear: per the law, of these 85,000+ there must be at least 200
people from each of four congressional districts.

Finally, deadlines. To register as a party the signatures must be
presented by 12:00 1 June to the state board of elections -- but these
signatures must first be verified by county boards. Per law,
submitting the signatures to the county boards by 17:00 15 May should
allow for such verification time.

[Samuel M-B]

More on the number of signatures required.

Per:

http://www.ncgreenparty.org/BALLOTACCESS.html

"Because of the verification requirement, this number is itself
misleading. Each signature must be verified by the Board of Elections
of the county in which that voter resides. Signatures maybe rejected
for a number of reasons. Overall, the rejection rate approaches or
exceeds 30%. This means the actual number of signatures to be gathered
is approximately 111,500."

This is a large number, but keep in mind that signers do not have to
file any affidavit switching to the new party. They may sign on a
lark, they may sign out of principle that ballot access should be open
even while completely disagreeing, etc.