The guide contains information about candidates for the Supreme Court of North Carolina and North Carolina Court of Appeals who have primary contests in 2022.
For the appellate courts, there are three contested Republican nominations – one for the Supreme Court and two for the Court of Appeals – in the May 17, 2022, statewide primary. Therefore, the seven candidates included in the voter guide will be the only appellate court candidates to appear on the ballot in the Republican Party primary. To vote in the Republican primary, you must be a registered Republican or unaffiliated voter that chooses the ballot of candidates for the Republican Party.
There are no Democratic or Libertarian primaries for appellate court seats in 2022. Democratic candidates who filed for these offices have no primary opposition and will advance to the General Election in November. No Libertarian candidates filed for these offices for this election.
The Judicial Voter Guide for the 2022 Primary Election is available online only. The Judicial Voter Guide for the 2022 General Election will be mailed to all N.C. households later this year. It will also be available online.
About the Appellate Courts
The N.C. Supreme Court is the state’s highest court. One chief justice and six associate justices review cases from the N.C. Court of Appeals, the N.C. Business Court, and cases in which the death penalty has been imposed. For more information, see Supreme Court of North Carolina.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals reviews cases first decided in District and Superior Courts, as well as appeals from administrative agencies. Currently, 15 judges sit on rotating panels of three, considering errors in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law. If a panel is divided (2-1), the losing party has an automatic right to appeal to the N.C. Supreme Court. For more information, see North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges serve eight-year terms.
Absentee-by-mail voting for the 2022 primary has begun. The in-person early voting period runs from April 28 to May 14. Election Day is May 17. For more information about the 2022 primary, see 10 Things to Know as NC Primary Election Season Begins.
