Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

Makes technical changes to Section 10 of the act, replacing pronouns with gender­neutral terms.

Amends GS 163­122, concerning unaffiliated candidates nominated by petition, to provide that candidates seeking statewide office, or for a district office under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Elections, must file written petitions with the State Board of Elections (Board) supporting that voter's candidacy for a specified office, on or before 12:00 noon on the second Wednesday prior to the primary election. Requires the petition to be divided into sections based on the county in which the signatures were obtained. Revises the provision requiring the petitions to be presented to the chairmen of the county boards of elections, to instead direct the State Board of Elections to require the filed petition to be verified no later than fifteen business days after canvass of the primary. Adds a provision authorizing the Executive Director to verify the petition through the same procedure currently authorized for the chair of the county boards of elections. Directs State Board of Elections to return copies of each petition and certificate to the State Board.

Amends the filing deadline for county offices, single county legislative districts, and superior court and district court judges, to be 12:00 noon the second Wednesday prior to the primary election. Directs the chair or director of the county board of elections to verify the filed petition no later than fifteen days after canvas as provided in revised GS 163­122(1)b for these offices and for partisan municipal offices.

Makes conforming and technical changes.

Amends the act's long title.