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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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.
North Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Law 5 Months After Striking It Down
A conservative majority held that the law was not racially discriminatory, reversing the court’s prior ruling.
The Racist History of State Constitutions Taking Voting Rights from People Convicted of Crimes
Two court decisions raise questions about whether modifying discriminatory provisions can wash away their dubious histories.
Stare Decisis in the Spotlight
North Carolina’s reconfigured supreme court will hear two recently decided democracy cases.