North Carolina Voters to Decide Supreme Court Race

Justice Anita Earls faces Republican Sarah Stevens in a critical state supreme court contest.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the North Carolina State Capitol dome, evoking the institutional weight of the state supreme court election. — North Carolina voters head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide the supreme court race between Justice Anita Earls and Sarah Stevens. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should supreme court elections be nonpartisan to protect judicial independence?

North Carolina voters head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide the supreme court race between Democratic incumbent Justice Anita Earls and Republican challenger Sarah Stevens. The outcome will influence the court, which currently maintains a 5-2 conservative majority.

Why it matters

The court's composition is significant as it may soon review legal issues including abortion and gerrymandering. Democrats are focused on this election as they prepare for a potential effort to flip the bench in 2028 when three Republican justices face reelection.

As of June 30, campaign finance filings report Anita Earls has raised $4.4 million with $3.5 million on hand, while Sarah Stevens has raised $336,000 with $257,000 on hand. The ACLU of North Carolina has additionally committed a $3.5 million campaign investment.

The players

Anita Earls

She is the incumbent Democratic Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Sarah Stevens

She is the Republican challenger running for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court.

ACLU of North Carolina

This advocacy group has announced a $3.5 million campaign investment in the supreme court race.

The details

Advocacy groups are running advertisements featuring healthcare professionals to influence voter sentiment regarding state abortion laws. The race follows a tight 2024 judicial election that was decided by 734 votes after two recounts.

June 30, 2026: Campaign fundraising and cash on hand reporting deadline.
November 3, 2026: North Carolina Supreme Court election.
2028: Three Republican justices face reelection.

Political Context

Opponents of the current Democratic judicial strategy argue that these large-scale advocacy investments politicize the judiciary. Critics frequently point to the potential for judicial activism, raising concerns about the court's role in interpreting state constitutional mandates.

This election directly impacts residents by determining the judicial oversight of state abortion laws and gerrymandering disputes. Voters will see the result of this contest manifest in future court rulings that define the legal boundaries of their civil liberties.

The takeaway

Voters should review candidate platforms on judicial philosophy and state constitutional interpretation before casting their ballots. Understanding the influence of outside campaign funding helps clarify the priorities driving each judicial candidate.