Some legislators support a new way North Carolina appellate court judges can earn additional eight-year terms. The 'retention election' may soon accomplish just that.
A House judiciary committee recommended legislation on Monday to allow NC Supreme Court justices or Court of Appeals judges initially elected to their positions to stand for an up-or-down election the next time they are scheduled on the ballot. It's called a retention election. Only the incumbent's name is on the ballot. The judge would get re-elected with a majority of the vote. Otherwise, the judge must step down.
The retention election is optional. The judge still can run in conventional elections.
Sponsor Rep. Leo Daughtry of Smithfield says the measure in part responds to large amounts of campaign money spent in statewide judicial elections. The bill's next stop is the House floor.
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