Unaffiliated Candidate Petitions

General Overview

On this page, you will find the procedure to nominate an unaffiliated candidate to appear on the ballot, per N.C.G.S. § 163-122.

Requirements and Timeline

Find requirements and deadlines below, and refer to the Unaffiliated Candidates for Elections in 2021 and 2022 Fact Sheet (PDF) for additional information.

Reason for Petition Number of Required Signatures When Are Petitions Due?* Governing Statutes
...in the contest for President of the U.S. 1.5% of all registered N.C. voters who voted in the most recent election for N.C. Governor. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(1), §163-209, Session Law 2017-214
...in the contest for N.C General Assembly if district lies in more than one county. 4% of all registered N.C. voters in the district, as of January 1 of the election year. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(1), Session Law 2017-214
...in a statewide contest. 1.5% of all registered N.C. voters who voted in the most recent election for N.C. Governor. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(1), Session Law 2017-214
...in a district contest except for N.C. General Assembly.  1.5% of all registered N.C. voters in the district, as of January 1 of the election year. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(2), Session Law 2017-214
...in a contest for Superior Court or District Court Judge. 2% of all registered N.C. voters in the district, as of January 1 of the election year. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(1), Session Law 2017-214
...in a county contest or single-county legislative district contest. 4% of all registered N.C. voters within the county or district. Noon on the day of the primary election to CBE. Session Law 2017-214
...in a municipal contest. 1.5% of all registered N.C. voters within the municipality. Noon on the Friday preceding the 7th Saturday before the election. N.C.G.S. §163-122(a)(4)

*All state petitions should be submitted to the State Board of Elections unless otherwise noted. 

Related Content

https://www.ncsbe.gov/candidates/petitions/unaffiliated-candidate-petitions