On June 29, the North Carolina Senate refused to concur in the House amendments to the ballot access bill, SB 656. The bill had passed both houses but the versions differ. The chief difference is that the House version has more difficult requirements for independent candidates than the Senate version. The bill will now go to a conference committee. But it is possible the legislature will adjourn before that process can be carried out.

North Carolina has two-year legislative sessions, so if no further action is taken this week, the bill is still alive and can move ahead in 2018. Unfortunately the bill’s author, Senator Andrew Brock, is resigning from the Senate soon and he won’t be there in 2018 to guide the bill. Thanks to Kevin Hayes for this news.