No Labels party seeks to get on NC ballot for 2024 presidential election

On Thursday, the North Carolina State Board of Elections was set to vote on whether to certify No Labels as a political party in the state. However, State Elections Board Chair Alan Hirsch decided – without public debate or comment – to delay that decision.

No Labels describes itself as a centrist group looking for bipartisan solutions to real problems people face. They’re trying to get onto the ballot in North Carolina and in other states for 2024. Both major parties – Democrats and Republicans – are concerned that the addition of No Labels could cost their candidate the presidential election.

Hirsch said state law requires documentation about what the group told voters who signed their petition. He said the one example No Labels provided - an affidavit from the party official who oversaw the petition collection in the state - isn’t enough.

“[There are] no other examples or training materials and so on,” Hirsch said.

Former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr is the attorney for No Labels. He said the group turned in its application in March, but have run into one delay after another at the state board. He said they weren’t even told the documentation was a problem until Wednesday.

“I'm unaware of this ever having been an issue or a problem for any entity seeking political party status in North Carolina, and the delay in the process has been troubling,” Orr said.

Orr said the law doesn't specifically say what documentation is needed to fulfill that requirement. But he said he's confident petition gatherers for the party were correctly trained in how to describe it to voters.

Hirsch said the state board will make its decision next month on No Labels, noting that there's nearly 12 months before the deadline to get on the 2024 presidential ballot in North Carolina.

Four political parties are currently recognized in North Carolina: Democrats, Greens, Libertarians and Republicans. No Labels is one of six parties currently seeking recognition.

WRAL News asked Raleigh resident Michele Young on Thursday if she wants to see more parties on the ballot in 2024. Young said it should stay the way it is.

“I think the ones in office are doing a good job with what we have now,” Young said.

However, Triangle-area resident Jack Gornewicz said the two-party system of Democrats and Republicans is outdated.

“I think we’re beyond that,” Gornewicz said. “There should be as many parties as we need to have our opinions heard.”