The Libertarian Party of North Carolina is now a legally recognized political party according to State Elections Director Gary Bartlett…
The Libertarians have been a party in North Carolina before, but lost their status due to stringent ballot access laws that require party candidates to attract a certain number of votes.
Party officials said they delivered petitions with 72,935 signatures to the State Board of Elections.
“They have sufficient numbers to be recognized as a new party,” Bartlett said.
Starting today, voters will be able to register as Libertarians and Libertarian candidates chosen by the party will be put on the fall election ballot.
In 2004, Michael Badnarik was the only minor party candidate to appear on the ballot in North Carolina He polled 11,731 votes or 0.34% of the total cast. That same year, Barbara Howe captured 52,513 votes (1.51%) for Governor and Tom Bailey won 47,743 votes (1.38%) for U.S. Senate. All far below the required 10% to maintain status as a qualified party.
25 signatures for president, right? 🙂
congrats to my neighbors and friends in NC! the absurd election laws there have made their road a tough one; hope this helps.
Here in Tennessee, the laws make a formal third party try a joke (lawsuit pending), but running as an independent is almost too easy.