On August 12, U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen heard oral arguments in Greene v Bartlett, the case that challenges the number of signatures needed for an independent candidate for U.S. House.  North Carolina has had government-printed ballots since 1901, and no independent for U.S. House has ever qualified.  The case is Greene v Bartlett, 5:08-cv-0088.  The law requires signatures of 4% of the number of registered voters.

The judge indicated that he expects to issue a ruling by August 20.