North Carolina politics is basically a full-contact sport at this point. If you live here, you've probably seen the yard signs and the TV ads that feel like they never end. But while everyone is usually obsessing over the Governor’s mansion or who’s going to DC, there’s a massive fight happening right under our noses in the 2026 judicial cycle.
The North Carolina Supreme Court race isn't just another box to check on a long ballot. Honestly, it’s the steering wheel for the entire state’s legal future. We are talking about the final say on everything from how your voting districts are drawn to how your local schools are funded.
Right now, the court has a 5-2 Republican majority. That’s a pretty comfortable lead for the GOP, but that doesn't mean the stakes are low. The 2026 election is specifically for the seat currently held by Justice Anita Earls. She’s a Democrat, and she’s running for reelection. If she loses, that 5-2 split turns into a 6-1 supermajority for Republicans. If she keeps her seat, Democrats live to fight another day, keeping a foot in the door for a possible flip in 2028 when three Republican seats are up.
Who is actually on the ballot?
The primary season was actually pretty quiet because both parties basically cleared the field for their heavy hitters. No drama there. On the Democratic side, you’ve got the incumbent, Justice Anita Earls. She’s been on the bench since 2019 and has a huge background in civil rights law. She actually founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice before she wore the black robe.
Early in 2026, Earls made headlines when she shared that she was being treated for breast cancer. She’s been super transparent about it, though, and made it clear she’s not slowing down. She’s stayed in the race, campaigning hard even while handling her health.
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Challenging her is Sarah Stevens, a Republican powerhouse from Mount Airy. Stevens isn't a judge right now, but she’s definitely not a political newbie. She’s a long-time state Representative—nine terms, to be exact—and she’s served as the House Speaker Pro Tempore. She’s built her platform around being a "conservative voice for justice and families," leaning on her years of experience as a family law attorney and a legislator.
The Money and the Drama
You might think judicial races are boring and dignified. You'd be wrong. These races are getting incredibly expensive. In 2024, the race for Justice Allison Riggs’ seat saw millions of dollars poured in, and 2026 is looking like it might break records. By September 2025, fundraising had already passed almost every pre-2018 election in state history.
Why so much cash? Because the court is partisan now. It used to be that you didn’t even see a "D" or an "R" next to a judge's name on the ballot, but that changed in 2018. Now, it’s a team sport.
One thing that’s been floating around the news is a minor scandal involving Sarah Stevens and some campaign contributions. She reportedly took some money—about $8,300 total—from lobbyists while she was still a sitting legislator. That’s a big no-no under NC law. To be fair, she gave the money back once the red flags went up, but you can bet the Earls campaign will be bringing that up in every debate from Murphy to Manteo.
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What’s Really at Stake?
Basically, everything. The North Carolina Supreme Court has been the center of some of the biggest legal battles in the country lately.
- Gerrymandering: The court recently reversed a previous ruling that blocked partisan gerrymandering. This basically gave the green light for the legislature to draw maps that favor their own party.
- Voter ID: They also greenlit a voter ID law that a previous iteration of the court had blocked.
- Education: The long-running Leandro case, which is all about whether the state is doing enough to provide a "sound basic education" to every kid, is constantly bouncing back and forth through the courts.
If Stevens wins, the court's conservative wing becomes nearly untouchable for years. If Earls wins, she keeps a progressive voice on the bench who can write dissenting opinions that often serve as a roadmap for future legal challenges or federal appeals.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that because Republicans have a 5-2 majority, one seat doesn't matter. That’s a mistake. In judicial politics, momentum is everything.
Look at what happened in 2024. Justice Allison Riggs won her race by a razor-thin margin—just 734 votes out of 5.5 million cast. It was so close that it took until May 2025 for the results to even be certified! That race proved that North Carolina is still a "purple" state when it comes to the top of the ticket.
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The North Carolina Supreme Court race in 2026 is essentially the first half of a two-part battle. If Democrats lose this one, they’d have to run the table in 2028 just to get back to a minority position. It’s a math game, and right now, the numbers are tight.
How to Stay Informed
If you want to actually know what you're voting for, don't just trust the 30-second attack ads. They're usually pretty misleading. Instead, look at the opinions these women have actually written or the bills they’ve supported.
- Check out Anita Earls' past opinions on the NC Courts website. Look for cases involving voting rights and criminal justice.
- Look at Sarah Stevens' legislative record. As a chair of the Judiciary committee, she’s had a hand in almost every major legal change in the state over the last decade.
- Watch for the Bar Association ratings. Usually, lawyers across the state rate the candidates on things like integrity and legal knowledge. It’s not a perfect system, but it gives you a sense of how their peers see them.
The election is November 3, 2026. If you aren't registered yet, you can do that at the DMV or by mail through the State Board of Elections. Don't wait until the last minute because North Carolina's rules on mail-in ballots and registration deadlines can be a bit of a maze.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your registration: Go to the NC State Board of Elections website and use the "Voter Search" tool to make sure your address is current.
- Mark the Primary: Even though the Supreme Court primaries were canceled due to only one candidate per party, there are Court of Appeals races on the March 3, 2026, primary ballot that you should weigh in on.
- Read the Dissent: To understand Justice Earls' judicial philosophy, find the 2023 dissent in Holmes v. Moore regarding voter ID.
- Follow the Money: Use the OpenSecrets or NC SBOE campaign finance portals to see who is funding these million-dollar campaigns.