GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2003

 

 

SESSION LAW 2003-209

HOUSE BILL 201

 

 

AN ACT to require a review procedure to ensure that candidates' names appear on the ballot in accordance with law.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

SECTION 1.  G.S. 163-165.5 reads as rewritten:

"§ 163-165.5.  Contents of official ballots.

Each official ballot shall contain all the following elements:

(1)       The heading prescribed by the State Board of Elections. The heading shall include the term "Official Ballot".

(2)       The title of each office to be voted on and the number of seats to be filled in each ballot item.

(3)       The names of the candidates as they appear on their notice of candidacy filed pursuant to G.S. 163-106 or G.S. 163-323, or on petition forms filed in accordance with G.S. 163-122. No title, appendage, or appellation indicating rank, status, or position shall be printed on the official ballot in connection with the candidate's name. Candidates, however, may use the title Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. Nicknames shall be permitted on an official ballot if used in the notice of candidacy or qualifying petition, but the nickname shall appear according to standards adopted by the State Board of Elections. Those standards shall allow the presentation of legitimate nicknames in ways that do not mislead the voter or unduly advertise the candidacy. In the case of candidates for presidential elector, the official ballot shall not contain the names of the candidates for elector but instead shall contain the nominees for President and Vice President which the candidates for elector represent. The State Board of Elections shall establish a review procedure that local boards of elections shall follow to ensure that candidates' names appear on the official ballot in accordance with this subdivision.

(4)       Party designations in partisan ballot items.

(5)       A means by which the voter may cast write-in votes, as provided in G.S. 163-123.

(6)       Instructions to voters, unless the State Board of Elections allows instructions to be placed elsewhere than on the official ballot.

(7)       The printed title and facsimile signature of the chair of the county board of elections."


SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 9th day of June, 2003.

 

 

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

 

 

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

 

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

 

 

Approved 12:32 p.m. this 19th day of June, 2003