Filing For Candidacy In Brunswick County, Nc: A Guide

To file for candidacy in Brunswick County, North Carolina, you must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the county for at least 30 days before the election, and be 18 or older by the next general election day. You cannot be serving a felony sentence or be on probation, post-release supervision, or parole. You will need to create an online account and complete the necessary paperwork, which will be notarized. A photo ID is required for this process. There is also a filing fee, which must be paid by check, money order, or cash (for fees of $50 or less). The primary election in Brunswick County is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in March during even-numbered years. This process will differ for unaffiliated candidates, who must complete a petition process and collect a certain number of signatures.

Candidate eligibility requirements

To file for candidacy in Brunswick County, NC, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set by the state and local election authorities. Here are the detailed candidate eligibility requirements for filing for office in Brunswick County, NC:

• Citizenship and Residency: Candidates must be citizens of the United States and residents of Brunswick County, North Carolina. The duration of residency may vary depending on the specific office being sought.
• Age: Candidates must meet the age requirements for the office they are seeking. For example, a candidate for the US House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old.
• Party Affiliation: To file for office in a partisan primary election, candidates must be affiliated with that political party for at least 90 days before filing their notice of candidacy. Primary ballots feature candidates from a single political party.
• Voter Registration: Candidates must be qualified voters in the jurisdiction in which they are seeking office. They should be registered to vote and meet any additional voter eligibility requirements, such as not serving a felony sentence.
• Filing Paperwork and Fees: Candidates must complete and notarize filing paperwork, including a notice of candidacy. A photo ID is required for notarization. They must also pay a filing fee, typically in the form of a check or money order.
• Campaign Finance Committee: All candidates running for office in Brunswick County are required to open a campaign finance committee. This involves establishing a committee to manage campaign finances and comply with relevant regulations.
• Signature Requirements for Unaffiliated Candidates: Any qualified voter can seek nomination as an unaffiliated candidate. This option involves a petition process where the candidate must collect a specified number of signatures based on the office they are seeking. If successful, the candidate will be listed on the ballot for the general election.
• Additional Requirements: Specific offices may have unique eligibility requirements, such as age, residency, or professional qualifications. For example, running for the office of County Commissioner or Board of Education may have specific district residency requirements.

It is important for candidates to refer to the official sources and guidelines provided by the Brunswick County Board of Elections and the North Carolina State Board of Elections for a comprehensive understanding of all eligibility requirements and procedures for filing for candidacy in Brunswick County, NC.

Filing paperwork and notarization

When filing for office in Brunswick County, NC, candidates should expect to work with a Board of Elections staff member to verify their eligibility to file. The staff member will also assist with the completion of filing paperwork, which will need to be notarized.

The first step in filing for candidacy in Brunswick County, NC, is to complete the necessary filing paperwork. This can be done with the assistance of a Board of Elections staff member, who will also help verify your eligibility to file. The candidate must bring a photo ID, as this will be required for notarization.

The candidate will also need to pay a filing fee. This fee can be paid via check, money order, or cash (for amounts $50 or less, with exact change required). Business or corporate checks and credit cards are not accepted.

Once the filing paperwork has been completed and the fee paid, the documents will need to be notarized. This can be done by a public notary, and candidates can refer to the North Carolina Notary Public Manual for more information on this process. The manual is available for purchase, and there are also downloadable notary certificates and resources on the North Carolina Secretary of State website.

After notarization, the candidate will have the opportunity to meet with a staff member to discuss establishing a candidate committee for campaign finance purposes. This is a requirement for everyone running for office. The candidate will also be provided with a packet of information relevant to their campaign and candidacy.

It is important to note that the filing process also includes specific dates and deadlines that must be adhered to. For example, the candidate filing dates for the 2024 election were Monday, December 4, 2023, at noon through Friday, December 15, 2023, at noon. The candidate withdrawal deadline was Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 5:00 PM. These dates are subject to change for future elections, so candidates should refer to the official Brunswick County website for the most up-to-date information.

Filing fees and payment methods

When planning to run for office in Brunswick County, North Carolina, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the associated filing fees and acceptable payment methods. These fees vary depending on the office you're seeking and are an essential step in the candidacy process. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate these financial aspects:

The filing fee amount is determined by the specific office you are seeking. For example, filing for a county commissioner seat typically incurs a lower fee compared to running for a state legislative position, such as the North Carolina House of Representatives or Senate. It's important to check with the appropriate election authority, usually the Brunswick County Board of Elections, to confirm the exact fee for your desired office. Their website should have a list of fees for various positions, and they can provide you with up-to-date information.

Payment methods accepted for filing fees may include cash, personal checks, money orders, or certified checks. Typically, credit card payments are not accepted for filing fees, so it's advisable to plan accordingly. When writing a personal check, ensure that your name and address are printed clearly, and the check should be made payable to the "Brunswick County Board of Elections" or a similar payee as instructed. This helps facilitate accurate record-keeping and ensures your payment is properly credited.

In some cases, you may be required to pay the filing fee in person when submitting your declaration of candidacy. This usually takes place during the filing period, which is set by the state and applies to all candidates running for public office. The filing period for the 2024 election cycle, for instance, is likely to occur in mid-2023, with specific dates determined by North Carolina's election authority. It's crucial to mark these dates on your calendar to ensure you don't miss the window for filing and paying the associated fees.

If, for any reason, you decide to withdraw your candidacy after filing, the filing fee is typically non-refundable. These fees are used to cover administrative costs and facilitate the election process, so refunds are generally not provided, regardless of the timing of your withdrawal. Therefore, it's essential to be confident about your decision to run for office before submitting your declaration and paying the necessary fees.

Finally, it's worth noting that the filing fee structure and payment methods may be subject to change. While this guide provides a comprehensive overview, it's always advisable to consult directly with the Brunswick County Board of Elections or the relevant state election authority for the most current information. Their websites typically offer detailed candidate guides and important updates to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Candidate committee for campaign finance

Every candidate running for office in Brunswick County, NC, is required to open a campaign finance committee. This committee will take in contributions and make expenditures on behalf of the campaign.

Each candidate who has received funds or made payments, or given consent for anyone else to receive funds or transfer anything of value for their campaign, is required to organize a political committee. Filing a notice of candidacy with a board of elections also triggers the candidate's obligation to organize a political committee.

All candidates required to organize a political committee must appoint a treasurer who resides in North Carolina. A candidate may serve as their own treasurer, or they may appoint someone else to do so. However, a candidate's spouse may not serve as treasurer. Every treasurer must participate in treasurer training within three months of appointment and at least once every four years after that.

The treasurer must maintain all the money of the candidate committee in bank accounts used exclusively by the committee. Candidate committee funds may not be commingled with personal funds or other accounts. All bank accounts and other depositories used by the candidate committee must be maintained in North Carolina. A candidate committee may not accept cash contributions in excess of $50.

All candidate committees must file an Organizational Report within 10 days of organizing or within 10 days of filing a notice of candidacy, whichever comes first. An organizational report must include the following required forms:

• CRO-2100A Candidate Committee Statement of Organization: This form discloses basic information about the candidate committee, such as the name, address, office being pursued, and party registration of the candidate. This form also reports the name and contact information of the treasurer and must be signed by the candidate.
• CRO-3500 Certification of Financial Accounts: This form discloses the bank accounts used by the candidate committee.
• CRO-1000 Detailed Report Cover and CRO-1100 Detailed Summary: As part of the organizational report, the candidate committee must disclose all contributions and expenditures not previously reported. At a minimum, the treasurer must submit the CRO-1000 and CRO-1100. As you complete the CRO-1100, you will be alerted as to any additional forms that are required. A free electronic filing option is also available. The treasurer must sign and file the CRO-1000 certifying the report as true and correct.

An organizational report may also include the following optional form:

CRO-3900 Candidate Designation of Funds: This form designates how candidate committee funds should be disbursed in the case of the death of the candidate. Undesignated funds must be paid to the North Carolina Escheat Fund.

After filing an Organizational Report, candidate committees for State and county offices file quarterly or semi-annual disclosure reports according to the reporting schedule.

A candidate committee that receives a contribution or transfer of funds of $1,000 or more before an election but after the period covered by the last report due before that election is required to file a 48-Hour Report. Contributions disclosed in a 48-Hour Report must also be disclosed in the next quarterly report.

All reports must be signed and certified as true and correct. A committee that does not file a report by the due date will receive a late filing penalty. Notices of reports due are sent by the appropriate board of elections to committee treasurers.

Certain candidate committees for county office, municipal office, local school board, and soil and water conservation district may be exempt from filing disclosure reports if the committee determines that it does not intend to receive in contributions or in loans or spend more than $1,000 during the election cycle. This includes the value of monetary contributions and the value of in-kind contributions. In order to be exempt from filing disclosure reports, the treasurer of an under-threshold committee must file a CRO-3600 Certification of Threshold at the same time the committee files an Organizational Report. A candidate committee that fails to file the CRO-3600 at the appropriate time must file disclosure reports.

Voter registration

To register to vote in Brunswick County, North Carolina, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be a resident of Brunswick County, North Carolina, for 30 days before the election in which you intend to vote
• Be 18 years of age or older by the next general election day
• Not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole

If you are a DMV customer with an NC driver's license or DMV-issued ID, you can register to vote or update your address or party affiliation online. However, you cannot change your name online. If you are a new registrant in Brunswick County, you need to submit the original form by mail or in person at the office. If you are already registered and are making changes to your information, you can return the form by email or fax.

Voters should check their registration before every election. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can go to any early voting site to register and vote on the same day, but only during early voting—this option is not available on election day. You will be required to provide acceptable proof of residence.

To vote in a municipal election, you must live in that municipality for at least 30 days before Election Day. This is because, according to Section 2 of the NC Constitution, you must reside in an election district for 30 days preceding an election to be entitled to vote. Those in unincorporated areas do not reside in a municipal district and are therefore not eligible to vote in that district.

Frequently asked questions