North Carolina H88 passed the legislature on July 25. It lowers the vote test for a party to remain on the ballot from 10%, to 2%. It also lowers the number of signatures for a statewide independent from 2% of the registered voters, to 2% of the last gubernatorial vote. Unfortunately it also requires independent candidates, and minor party nominees nominated by convention, to pay filing fees. And it doesn’t lower the number of signatures for a new party, which remains the 2nd highest number in the nation.