Overview
With regard to post-voting processes, the General Assembly principally has a role in helping adjudicate disputes in races involving offices in the Assembly or for statewide offices. Other than legislative responsibilities, the General Assembly does not have a role in federal races. [1]
Election-Related Duties
The key duties of the General Assembly are:
- Deciding contests for statewide elected offices. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-182.13A.
- Hearing appeals of State Board of Elections decisions involving General Assembly races or statewide elected offices. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-182.14(c).
- Passing election-related legislation. N.C. Const. Art. 2 § 1.
Selection and Vacancy Information
- **Elected: ****Members of both the House and Senate chambers are elected every two years. N.C. Const. Art. II §§ 2; 4.
- Tiebreaking: If more than 5,000 votes were cast in the election, then the tie is broken by a runoff. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑182.8(1). If there were fewer than 5,000 votes cast then the tie is decided randomly by the State Board of Elections. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑182.8(2).
- Term of Office: Each term of office lasts two years, and there are no term limits. N.C. Const. Art. II §§ 2; 4.
- Next Election/Appointment: The next election for the General Assembly will be held on November 5, 2024.
- Qualifications: To qualify for office in the Senate an individual must be at least 25 years old, registered to vote in the state, have been a citizen and resident of the state for at least two years, and have been a citizen and resident of the district in which they are running for at least one year immediately prior to the election. N.C. Const. Art. II § 6. To qualify for the House of Representatives, an individual must be registered to vote in the state and have been a resident of the district in which they are running for at least one year immediately prior to the election. N.C. Const. Art. II § 7.
- Vacancy: **The Governor fills vacancies in the General Assembly by appointment, upon the recommendation of various committees depending on the nature of the district. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑11.
Footnotes