NC S495

Establishes residency requirements for nine district court judges in District Court District 25, with six judges required to reside in Catawba County, two in Burke County, and one in Caldwell County.

All nine judges are elected by qualified voters across the entire district, but candidacy is restricted to residents of their designated counties.

Staggered election schedule: one Catawba County judge's successor elected in 2012; five Catawba County and one Burke County judge's successors elected in 2014; one Burke County and one Caldwell County judge's successors elected in 2014.

Effective January 1, 2015, reduces Catawba County judgeships from six to five and increases Caldwell County judgeships from one to two, with the additional Caldwell County judge to be elected in 2014.

Current judges serving District 25 on July 1, 2011, fill the initial positions under the new residency structure.