§ 163‑325. Petition inlieu of payment of filing fee.
(a) General. Anyqualified voter who seeks election under this Article may, in lieu of paymentof any filing fee required for the office he seeks, file a written petitionrequesting him to be a candidate for a specified office with the State Board ofElections.
(b) Requirements ofPetition; Deadline for Filing. If the candidate is seeking the office ofjustice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, or superior ordistrict court judge, that individual shall file a written petition with theState Board of Elections no later than 12:00 noon on Monday preceding thefiling deadline before the primary. If the office is justice of the SupremeCourt or judge of the Court of Appeals, the petition shall be signed by 10,000registered voters in the State. If the office is superior court or districtcourt judge, the petition shall be signed by ten percent (10%) of theregistered voters of the election area in which the office will be voted for.The board of elections shall verify the names on the petition, and if thepetition and notice of candidacy are found to be sufficient, the candidate'sname shall be printed on the appropriate ballot. Petitions must be presented tothe county board of elections for verification at least 15 days before thepetition is due to be filed with the State Board of Elections. The State Boardof Elections may adopt rules to implement this section and to provide standardpetition forms. (1996,2nd Ex. Sess., c. 9, s. 7; 2001‑403, s. 1; 2002‑158, s. 7.)