The General Assembly has passed a bill to reduce the size of the state Court of Appeals.
The Senate passed the bill Tuesday afternoon and the House quickly followed.
It reduces the size of the court from 15 to 12 judges. No one would immediately lose their job - the reduction would be achieved through retirements or resignations.
The change means more legal matters may be appealed directly to the state Supreme Court.
Republicans say the move is warranted because the appellate court workload has decreased in recent years. But Democrats are concerned that politics are behind the measure because it takes away Gov. Roy Cooper's ability to fill those vacancies when they arise.