NC H496

Changes candidate placement on official election ballots from a random selection process to alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order by last name, determined by drawing at the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement after the filing period closes.

Eliminates the previous system that organized general election ballots by party affiliation (with major parties listed first, followed by minor parties, then unaffiliated candidates).

Removes separate ordering rules for Court of Appeals candidates that previously prioritized candidates by party registration status.

Applies to all elections held after the law's effective date, except 2018 elections which continue using the random selection process previously determined by the State Board.

Ratified on June 14, 2018 and became law on June 26, 2018 after the Governor did not sign it within the prescribed timeframe.