On March 9, the North Carolina House Elections Committee discussed the ballot access bill, HB 32, but did not pass it because of time constraints, and because not all amendments had been drafted. The committee still seems amenable to passing the bill, and lowering the number of signatures for new parties and independent candidates to get on the ballot. Also they seem willing to ease the vote test for a party to remain ballot-qualified. But they strongly desire to make the petition deadlines earlier in the year. The bill will probably be heard again on March 16.