CNN does the digging and finds that Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert's bid to appear on both the Democratic and Republican presidential primary ballots in his native state of South Carolina — reminiscent of the satirical campaigns run by the late Pat Paulsen — may be trickier than he first envisioned.

The state Democratic Party's Executive Committee, who will vote on approving Colbert's appearance on the ballot, has rules that state that a candidate must be "actively campaigning" for the Democratic primary. That could complicate matters for Colbert, since he would be "campaigning" in both parties' primaries.

The state GOP's rules are more relaxed — candidates do not require executive committee approval and the party would not block a cross-over bid. However, Colbert would have to pay the state GOP $35,000 in order to appear on their ballot, since state parties in South Carolina reimburse the state government for the costs of holding the presidential primary.

Colbert has until the end of the month to file his nominating papers with both parties.