§ 163-119. Voting by unaffiliated voter in party primary.
Overview of Statute
Section stipulates how an unaffiliated voter may participate in a primary election.
Statute
If a political party has, by action of its State Executive Committee reported to the State Board of Elections by resolution delivered no later than the first day of December preceding a primary, provided that unaffiliated voters may vote in the primary of that party, an unaffiliated voter may vote in the primary of that party by announcing that intention under G.S. 163-166.7(a). For a party to withdraw its permission, it must do so by action of its State Executive Committee, similarly reported to the State Board of Elections no later than the first day of December preceding the primary where the withdrawal is to become effective.
(1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 7; 2002-159, s. 21(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
- Cross-References:
- Political Party
- Primary
- State Board of Elections
1. Definition for political party
The term “political party” means any political party organized or operating in this State, whether or not that party is recognized under the provisions of G.S. 163A-950. A special definition of “political party organization” that applies only in Part 2 of this Article is set forth in G.S. 163A-1475. An affiliated party committee is deemed a political party for this Article as set forth in G.S. 163A-1416 and G.S. 163A-1417.
2. Definition for day
The term “day” means calendar day.
3. Definition for board
The term “board” means the State Board with respect to all candidates for State, legislative, and judicial offices and the county board of elections with respect to all candidates for county and municipal offices. The term means the State Board with respect to all statewide referenda and the county board of elections conducting all local referenda.
4. Definition for Board
Board. – Any State board, commission, council, committee, task force,
authority, or similar public body, however denominated, created by statute or
executive order, as determined and designated by the State Board, except for
those public bodies that have only advisory authority.
5. Definition for State
“State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
6. Definition for election
The term “election” means any general or special election, a first or second primary, a run-off election, or an election to fill a vacancy. The term “election” shall not include any local or statewide referendum.
7. Definition for Election
“Election” means the event in which voters cast votes in ballot items concerning proposals or candidates for office in this State or the United States. The term includes primaries, general elections, referenda, and special elections.
8. Definition for Committee
Committee. – The Legislative Ethics Committee as created in Part 3 of Article
14 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes.
Cases
North Carolina Cases
Out-of-State Cases
Federal Cases
Case Name: Hole v. N.C. Bd. of Elections
Citation: 112 F.Supp.2d. 475
Federal District Court: M.D. North Carolina
Year: 2000
Case PDF: Hole v. N.C. Bd. of Elections
Case Summary: The plaintiff was a candidate for the nomination of the Republican Party for the county district judge. The plaintiff lost the election by a close margin and filed suit alleging the inclusion of the ballots of unaffiliated voters in the primary violated her right to freedom of association and equal protection. Ultimately the court denied the plaintiff's motion because she failed to meet her burden of showing each factor needed for issuance of a preliminary injunction. Moreover, he freedom of association claim fell short because the relevant election statute protected the constitutional right of the party to decide who would participate in its primary.