North Carolina
North Carolina’s highest court is the Supreme Court of North Carolina. The court has six associate justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is chosen through election. (Source: North Carolina Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Justices on the Supreme Court of North Carolina are selected through a partisan election, where multiple candidates may vie for the seat. The elected justice serves an eight-year term. Justices may seek additional terms through partisan elections. When a seat opens in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor appoints a candidate to fill the vacancy. The appointed justice holds office until North Carolina’s next general election more than 60 days after the vacancy occurred. The elected justice serves the remainder of the unexpired term. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 72.
State Constitution
North Carolina has had three state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1970. As of January 1, 2024, it had 41 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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Utah Supreme Court to Hear Gerrymandering Challenge
State courts in Utah are the latest to consider whether partisan gerrymandering gives rise to an actionable claim under state law.
Reforms Making It Easier to Sue Child Abusers Are Running into Due Process Concerns
The Colorado Supreme Court is the latest to consider whether retroactive extensions of statutes of limitations on child sexual abuse claims violate the state constitution.
Iowa Supreme Court Reverses Itself on Lawsuits for Constitutional Rights Violations
Overturning a recent precedent, the court ruled that Iowans have no right to sue for money damages when government officials violate their rights.
School Funding Case Shows Challenges of Upholding Certain Rights in Court
An ideological shift on the North Carolina Supreme Court could upend a landmark decision in a long-running battle for adequate public education spending under the state’s constitution.
New Data Shows Lack of Diversity on Many State Supreme Courts
State court benches continue to fall short of representing the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the communities they serve.
Judicial Whiplash in North Carolina Redistricting Case
The new court majority reversed itself and found the state constitution powerless to confront partisan gerrymandering.
North Carolina Supreme Court Unleashes Partisan Gerrymandering
The court also upheld voter ID and felony disenfranchisement.
NC Supreme Court Upholds Law Barring People on Probation and Parole from Voting
While state courts have been skeptical of judicial remedies, momentum for legislative responses is growing.