Amends the definition of a political party in GS 163-96(a) reducing the percentage requirement of entire votes cast in the state for Governor or for presidential electors to qualify as a political party in North Carolina from 2% to 0.25%. Further requires a petition by a group of voters seeking political party status to be signed by at least 200 registered voters from each of three (was, four) congressional districts. Petitions must be filed by 12:00 noon on the third Friday in July preceding the day on which is to be held the first general state election.

Amends GS 163-98 adjusting the time frame for the president of the new political party's convention to certify to the State Board of Elections names of persons chosen as the new party's candidates in the upcoming general election to be no later than the first day of September (rather than the first day of July) prior to the general election.

Amends GS 163-122(a) changing the date by which a petition by an unaffiliated candidate to be included on a ballot must be filed with the State Board of Elections from the last Friday in June to the third Friday in July. Also reduces the required percentage of qualified voters who must sign the petition from 2% of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent general election to 0.25% if the office is statewide. Also requires the petition be signed from voters in three (was, four) Congressional districts. If the office is a district office under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Elections or if the office is a county office or single county legislative district, the percentage of qualified voters that must sign the petition is changed from 4% to 0.25%. Deletes various provisions concerning total number of registered voters needed in regards to county officer or single county legislative district elections, in lieu of setting the requirement at 0.25% of the total number of registered voters that voted in the most recent general election for that office. Updates a statutory reference.

Amends GS 163-296 requiring unaffiliated candidates who seek to have their names printed on the regular municipal ballot to do so in the manner provided in GS 163-122 and removing the requirement that the petition be signed by at least 4% of the qualified voters of the municipality. Makes conforming changes. 

Effective for partisan municipal elections held in 2015 only if preclearance is received under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prior to July 1, 2015.