Overview

The Superior Courts of North Carolina hear appeals of decisions by other agencies and bodies of the state.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Superior Courts are:

Hearing appeals of challenges. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-90.2(c).
Hearing initial challenges of election laws passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. N.C. Const. Art. IV § 12.

The key duties specific to the Superior Court of Wake County are:

Hearing appeals regarding decertification of election machines by the State Board of Elections. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-165.7(d).
Hearing appeals of election protests. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-182.14(b).

**Elected: ****Superior Court judges are elected from individual districts. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-1.
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: The term of office is eight years. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-1; N.C. Const. Art. IV § 16.
Next Election: The next election for Superior Court judges is on November 5, 2024. “Upcoming Election.”
Qualifications: A Superior Court judges must be an attorney under 72 years of age, and a resident of the district in which they run. “Court Officials.”
Vacancy: **Vacancies are filled by the Governor and their terms last until the next general election or until the expiration of the term of office. “Court Officials.”