As of January 5, 2026, Elisa Chinn Gary’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Budget

In a 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter-guide response, Chinn-Gary wrote: “I hold a Masters in Social Work and a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been licensed to practice law in NC since 1999.” The guide states that candidate answers received by its deadline were provided verbatim.

VOTER GUIDE 2014 MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Elisa Chinn Gary earned a master's degree in social work and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In her 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter-guide response, Chinn-Gary described her then-current professional role: “I proudly serve the Mecklenburg County community as the Administrator of the Juvenile & Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District. Within the courts, my specific areas of oversight include the Family Court Case Management Unit, Child Custody & Permanency Mediation Programs, Family Law Facilitator Program and the Mecklenburg County SelfServe Center.”

A Mecklenburg County Bar Association profile states: “Chinn-Gary is Mecklenburg County’s Family Court Administrator and a leader in building and strengthening Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (RMJJ).”

Elisa Chinn-Gary Named 2014 Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion

Elisa Chinn Gary has served as administrator of the Juvenile & Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District and as Mecklenburg County’s Family Court Administrator. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina.

Elisa Chinn-Gary - 2014 Diversity Champion Award Winner

Elisa has served as administrator of the Juvenile & Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District and as Mecklenburg County’s Family Court Administrator. She also works as an adjunct professor at the Charlotte School of Law.

Ballotpedia states: “Elisa Chinn Gary (Democratic Party) is a judge of the Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Superior Court in North Carolina. She assumed office in 2014. Her current term ends on December 7, 2026.”

Elisa Chinn Gary

Ballotpedia's election-history entry states: “Incumbent Elisa Chinn Gary won election in the general election for Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Superior Court on November 6, 2018.”

Ballotpedia's election-history entry states: “Incumbent Elisa Chinn Gary won election in the general election for Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Superior Court on November 8, 2022.”

Elisa currently serves as Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. She assumed office in 2014 and won reelection in 2018 and 2022.

Elisa Chinn Gary - Ballotpedia

2026 North Carolina General Election

In her 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter-guide response, Chinn-Gary listed civic accomplishments and wrote: “In collaboration with the Charlotte School of Law, I developed an experiential access to justice law clinic. It prepares students to provide legal information to those who cannot afford traditional legal representation.” The guide states that candidate answers received by its deadline were provided verbatim.

In her 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter-guide response, Chinn-Gary described her then-current professional role: “I proudly serve the Mecklenburg County community as the Administrator of the Juvenile & Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District. Within the courts, my specific areas of oversight include the Family Court Case Management Unit, Child Custody & Permanency Mediation Programs, Family Law Facilitator Program and the Mecklenburg County SelfServe Center.

In her 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter-guide response, Chinn-Gary described responsibilities in the Juvenile and Family Court Division: “I am also charged with providing administrative support to the Chief District Court Judge and the members of the District Court Bench in the areas of caseflow management; human resource management; education, training and development; information technology management; strategic planning; grant writing and project management.”

Developed a law clinic focused on access to justice that prepared students to provide legal information to people unable to afford legal representation.

Served as administrator of the Juvenile and Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District, supporting court case management, personnel, technology, planning, and project management.

Has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 1999.

- Developed a law clinic focused on access to justice that prepared students to provide legal information to people unable to afford legal representation.
- Served as administrator of the Juvenile and Family Court Division of the 26th Judicial District, supporting court case management, personnel, technology, planning, and project management.
- Has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 1999.

Legal Experience

Pledged in 2014 to make the clerk's office more accessible and responsive to court staff, officials, lawyers, and community members.

In a 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter guide, candidates were asked what improvements they would make as Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. Chinn-Gary wrote: “My vision to advance court excellence includes improving accessibility, collaboration, efficiency and redefining the culture of the office. (1) Accessibility. As the elected Clerk, I pledge to be accessible to my staff, other key court officials, members of the bar and the community. Greater accessibility equates to greater responsiveness.” The guide states that candidate answers received by its deadline were provided verbatim.

Pledged in 2014 to work with the judiciary and the Trial Court Administrator's Office to foster cooperation in court administration.

In a 2014 League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Democracy North Carolina voter guide, Chinn-Gary answered a question about improvements she would make as clerk: “(2) Collaboration. I pledge to work collaboratively with the Judiciary and the Trial Court Administrator’s Office. My knowledge of the resources and capabilities of each of these branches, as well as my established collegial relationships therein, will enable me to work strategically to build an administration marked by intra-agency cooperation.” The guide states that candidate answers received by its deadline were provided verbatim.

Worked with judges and advocates to convene discussions on school discipline and court referrals aimed at reducing suspensions and juvenile delinquency petitions.

A Mecklenburg County Bar Association profile states that, through Race Matters for Juvenile Justice, Chinn-Gary partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the U.S. Attorney's Office on implicit-bias and racism education. It further states: “She also worked with Mecklenburg County Judges and advocates to implement a series of roundtable discussions among school leaders, law enforcement, judges, attorneys, advocates and juvenile probation to discuss School Discipline and Court referral policies to reduce suspension rates, impact dropout and graduation rates, and limit the number of juvenile delinquency petitions.”

As of January 5, 2026, Elisa Chinn Gary did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

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Elisa Chinn Gary has a master's degree in social work and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Elisa is a judge of the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. She has been in this position since 2014.

Forum remebers Mecklenburg County's lynching history - The ...

Elisa is currently a judge of the Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Superior Court. She was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

Courts officials dropped from federal NC eCourts lawsuit

As family court administrator, worked to reduce implicit bias and institutional racism in juvenile courts.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in each county through a partisan election for a four-year term. The Clerk has five main responsibilities:
- Probate Judge: Handles 46 types of actions, including managing estates, guardianship proceedings, and appointing personal representatives.
- Court Administrator: Oversees the administration of the court.
- Record Keeper: Files, processes, and maintains all cases and documents submitted to the court.
- Financial Manager: Manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from court fees and traffic citations.
- Employee Manager: Supervises a team ranging from 5 to over 200 employees.


Oversees the county's probate court, judicial administration, records, and finances.