- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.

2026 North Carolina General Election

North Carolina

Criminal Justice

Property Rights

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

District Court Judge

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives.

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State Representative

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases

Businesses

Superior Court Judge

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina Senate.

Public Health

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State Senator

Burlington

Alamance

Haw River

Gibsonville

Elon

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Mebane

Swepsonville

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Staley

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Elkin

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Madison

Reidsville

Stoneville

Jefferson

West Jefferson

Boone

Mayodan

Oak Ridge

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Hot Springs

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Bakersville

Clyde

Canton

Banner Elk

Elk Park

Sugar Mountain

Newland

Crossnore

Grandfather

Burnsville

Marshall

Full profiles for every county in the state

Candidate lists and metadata for every county in the state

2026 North Carolina candidates

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 12

1 candidate

How this impacts you

North Carolina State Representative, District 53

3 candidates

How this impacts you

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 12

1 candidate

How this impacts you

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 12

1 candidate

How this impacts you

North Carolina State Representative, District 118

How this impacts you

North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 43B

1 candidate

How this impacts you

North Carolina State Senator, District 48

2 candidates

How this impacts you

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 42

1 candidate

How this impacts you

North Carolina State Representative, District 113

How this impacts you

North Carolina State Representative, District 117

How this impacts you