Judges & courts

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (Seat 1)

Vote for: 1
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Supreme Court is North Carolina's highest court: its seven justices hear appeals and decide what state law and the state constitution mean.

Candidates Compare by issue

Sarah Stevens

Republican

Attorney · Mount Airy

The gist

Supports applying the law as written, not judge-made law.
Opposes her opponent's rulings on voter ID and redistricting.
Supported Marsy's Law strengthening crime victims' rights.

More about Sarah

View sources (2)

Supports applying the law as written, not judge-made law.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I believe in following the law as written and a strict following of the constitution.”
Sarah Stevens for Supreme Court
Campaign website · Stevens for Justice · sarahstevensnc.com
“Sarah Stevens believes the law should be applied as written and judges shouldn't create laws from the bench.”
Opposes her opponent's rulings on voter ID and redistricting.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I am running because my opponent has twice ruled against the constitution on issues of voter identification and redistricting.”
Supported Marsy's Law strengthening crime victims' rights.
Sarah Stevens for Supreme Court
Campaign website · Stevens for Justice · sarahstevensnc.com
“Supported Marsy's Law to strengthen victims' rights in North Carolina”

Anita Earls

DemocraticIncumbent

Senior Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court · Durham

The gist

Supports an independent court as essential to democracy.
Supports fair courts that protect everyone's freedoms equally.
Opposed dismissing the Leandro school funding case.
Supports justice for crime victims and everyone's day in court.

More about Anita

View sources (2)

Supports an independent court as essential to democracy.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I believe an independent Court is critically necessary to the balance of powers and absolutely required to maintain a democracy.”
Supports fair courts that protect everyone's freedoms equally.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“All North Carolinians should have a fair and independent court that protects their personal freedoms no matter their race, gender or how much money”
Opposed dismissing the Leandro school funding case.
Leandro (Justice Earls' dissent from the dismissal of the Leandro school funding case)
Campaign website · Earls for Justice · earls4justice.com
“Justice Earls dissented from the ruling to dismiss the Leandro case.”
Supports justice for crime victims and everyone's day in court.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I re-dedicated my life to fighting for justice for victims of crime and ensuring everyone gets their day in Court.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.