Senate Bill 656 Summary

• Reduces signature requirement for new political party formation from 2% to 0.25% of total gubernatorial election voters, with minimum 200 signatures from three congressional districts (previously four).

• Lowers unaffiliated candidate petition signature requirements for statewide offices from 2% to 1.5% of recent gubernatorial election voters, and reduces district office requirements from 4% to 1.5%.

• Allows political parties with candidates on 70% of state ballots in prior presidential election to gain ballot access in North Carolina.

• Reduces threshold for "substantial plurality" in primary elections from 40% to 30% of votes cast for nomination.

• Eliminates primary elections for judicial offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, superior court, and district court judges) in 2018 general election; candidates file directly for general election between June 18-29, 2018.