(a) Political parties with at least 1/10 of 1 percent of registered voters in the State as of the last day of the month before the day the Governor issued the writ may nominate a candidate for the election.
(b) Parties nominating a candidate shall submit a certificate of nomination on the form and in the manner specified by the State Election Commissioner to the State Election Commissioner not later than 7 days following issuance of the writ.