RALEIGH (AP) — A former Virginia congressman says writing his name on the November ballot for president in North Carolina wouldn’t be a wasted vote because he’s offering alternative policies to those of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode turned in petitions Monday at the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Goode will be a certified write-in candidate and his votes will count if 500 petition signatures of qualified voters are confirmed.

Goode said he’s on the November ballot in 17 states and hopes to give voters the option in 40 states.

Goode served as a Democrat, Republican and independent during his 12 years in Congress. He said he supports congressional term limits and a moratorium on certain legal immigration. He’s limiting individual donations to $200.