- The Court of Appeals reviews proceedings that occurred in trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure. They decide if the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.
- There are currently 15 judges who sit in panels of three judges to hear cases. 
- They are the only intermediate appellate court in the state, meaning they are the only court that sits between lower courts and the state Supreme Court.
- Judges on the Court of Appeals are elected for eight-year terms in partisan elections.

Hears appeals on decisions made by lower courts

North Carolina

2026 North Carolina General Election

Civil Rights

Criminal Justice

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Court of Appeals Judge

- The North Carolina Supreme Court consists of seven judges, called justices. There is one chief justice and six associate justices. They decide on cases as a group.
- They are the state's highest court, and their decisions on state law are final. They are also the final authority on the North Carolina Constitution. 
- The NC Supreme Court is the final court for appeals in North Carolina. During an appeal, the Supreme Court is primarily tasked with considering whether an error occurred at trial or in judicial interpretation of the law. They also decide appeals in death penalty cases.
- Supreme Court justices are elected to eight-year terms in partisan elections. 

One of seven judges who serve on the highest court in North Carolina.

Public Health

Economic Growth

Gerrymandering

Supreme Court Associate Justice

- The U.S. senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 U.S. senators. North Carolina, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- U.S. senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. U.S. senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- U.S. senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court justices and presidential cabinet members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. U.S. senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing North Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

Environment

Economy

Public Safety

Healthcare

Education

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

U.S. Senator

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.

Taxes

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

County Commissioner

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system

Student Wellbeing

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

County Board of Education Member

Burlington

Alamance

Haw River

Gibsonville

Elon

Ossipee

Mebane

Swepsonville

Green Level

Graham

Cary

Fayetteville

Seagrove

Spring Lake

Taylortown

Aberdeen

Pinebluff

Raeford

Jamestown

Franklinville

Ramseur

Siler City

Goldston

Foxfire

Southern Pines

Pinehurst

Archdale

High Point

Apex

Greensboro

Trinity

Staley

Summerfield

Sedalia

Pleasant Garden

Candor

Whispering Pines

Whitsett

Liberty

Randleman

Robbins

Carthage

Asheboro

Cameron

Vass

Wilkesboro

North Wilkesboro

Elkin

Yadkinville

Ronda

Boonville

Jonesville

Mount Airy

Dobson

Pilot Mountain

East Bend

Taylorsville

King

Kernersville

Walnut Cove

Hickory

Danbury

Stokesdale

Eden

Wentworth

Sparta

Lansing

Seven Devils

Blowing Rock

Rhodhiss

Lenoir

Hudson

Cedar Rock

Sawmills

Granite Falls

Gamewell

Tobaccoville

Cajah's Mountain

Madison

Reidsville

Stoneville

Jefferson

West Jefferson

Boone

Mayodan

Oak Ridge

Beech Mountain

Hot Springs

Spruce Pine

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 Court of Appeals Judge

2 candidates

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North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge

2 candidates

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North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice

2 candidates

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North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge

2 candidates

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North Carolina U.S. Senator

3 candidates

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Vance County Commissioner, District 7

0 candidate

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Vance County Commissioner, District 3

0 candidate

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Vance County Board of Education Member, District 1

1 candidate

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Vance County Commissioner, District 4

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Vance County Board of Education Member, District 2

1 candidate

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