GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1983 SESSION

CHAPTER 576 
HOUSE BILL 1026 

AN ACT RELATING TO THE FORMATION OF NEW POLITICAL PARTIES TO CONFORM WITH FEDERAL COURT RULINGS. 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 163-96(a)(2) is amended by rewriting the first sentence to read: 
"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 two percent (2%) of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent general election for Governor." 
Sec. 2.  G.S. 163-96(b) is amended by deleting the first paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following: 
"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 __________. THE SIGNERS OF THIS PETITION INTEND TO ORGANIZE A NEW POLITICAL PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT SUCCEEDING GENERAL ELECTION.' 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." 
Sec. 3.  G.S. 163-96(c) is repealed. 
Sec. 4.  G.S. 163-74(b) is amended by deleting the last sentence which reads: "Party affiliation may also be changed as provided in G.S. 163-96(c)." 
Sec. 5.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1983. 
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 21st day of June, 1983.