North Carolina Supreme Court Election 2024

North Carolina Supreme Court Election

North Carolina Supreme Court Election: Key Races to Watch in 2024

Raleigh, N.C. – May 6, 2025

The race for North Carolina’s Supreme Court is heating up as candidates vie for pivotal seats that could shape the state’s legal landscape for years to come. With high-stakes issues such as voting rights, redistricting, and abortion access likely to come before the court, the 2024 election has drawn intense attention from both parties and advocacy groups.

The Seats Up for Grabs

This year, two seats on the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court are on the ballot. The elections are officially nonpartisan, but the political affiliations of the candidates have become a central focus in a state where judicial rulings frequently intersect with partisan battles.

Seat 1: Incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat appointed in 2023, is running to retain her position. She faces a challenge from Republican-backed attorney and former judge Jefferson Griffin.

Seat 6: Justice Tamara Barringer, a Republican, is not seeking re-election, leaving an open race between Democrat Court of Appeals Judge Carolyn Thompson and Republican attorney and conservative legal scholar Thomas Farr.

Why This Election Matters

The balance of the court currently leans 5-2 in favor of Democrats, but Republicans see an opportunity to narrow that margin. Recent rulings on gerrymandering and voter ID laws have underscored the court’s influence on critical policy issues.

'This election could determine whether North Carolina’s Supreme Court continues its recent trend of striking down GOP-backed election laws or shifts toward a more conservative interpretation of the state constitution,' said political analyst Michael Bitzer.

Campaign Strategies and Big Money

Both sides are pouring significant resources into the race. National groups like the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) and the Democratic-aligned Justice for All NC have already spent millions on ads framing the election as a battle over democracy and judicial independence.

Democrats are emphasizing the court’s role in protecting abortion rights under state law after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, Republicans are focusing on crime and accusing liberal justices of 'activist rulings.'

What’s Next?

Early voting begins in October, with Election Day set for November 5, 2024. Polls suggest a tight contest, with voter turnout expected to play a decisive role.

'Judicial elections don’t always get the spotlight, but in North Carolina, they’re as consequential as any governor or Senate race,' said UNC-Chapel Hill law professor Gene Nichol. 'This is a fight over the future of the state’s laws.'

As candidates ramp up their campaigns, North Carolinians can expect a heated battle over the ideological direction of their highest court.

— Reporting by [Your Name], [Your News Outlet]

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North Carolina Supreme Court Election 2024

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