Any unselected candidate desiring to have his or her name placed on the presidential primary ballot shall have nomination papers circulated in his or her behalf. In order to qualify his or her name for placement on the presidential primary ballot, the candidate’s nomination papers shall be signed by voters registered as affiliated with the Republican Party equal in number to not less than 1 percent of the number of persons registered as members of the Republican Party, as reflected in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day
preceding the presidential primary election.