The 2018 judicial primaries–including those for open Court of Appeals and Supreme Court seats–have been eliminated.  With the senate and the house voting to override the Governor’s veto by substantial margins, Senate Bill 656, the “Electoral Freedom Act of 2017,” has become law.

The law (Session Law 2017-124) provides:

No 2018 Primary for Judicial Offices. – Notwithstanding G.S. 163-106, no party primaries shall be held for candidates seeking the following offices in the general election held on November 6, 2018:

Justices of the Supreme Court.

Judges of the Court of Appeals.

Judges of the superior courts.

Judges of the district courts.

Anyone wishing to run for an open seat can declare his or her candidacy for the general election by June 29, 2018.  Unless, of course, the legislature eliminates the 2018 election altogether in favor of an alternative selection process.  Such a shift would probably require a constitutional amendment.  Stay tuned.

–Matt Leerberg