S699 Summary

• Amends North Carolina Constitution to replace gubernatorial appointment and election of appellate and superior court judges with a new system: two candidates nominated by a Judicial Nominating Commission, Governor appoints one, voters choose between them in nonpartisan election.

• Requires sitting judges who win contested elections to submit to nonpartisan retention elections at end of their terms, where voters approve or disapprove their continuation in office by majority vote.

• Creates 16-member Judicial Nominating Commission with voting members appointed by Governor, legislative leaders, and bar associations; members serve staggered four-year terms with consideration given to party balance, diversity, and professional background.

• Establishes procedures for judge nominations, elections, and retention ballots; allows withdrawal of non-appointed nominee before election to trigger retention election instead of contested election.

• Constitutional amendment to be submitted to voters on November 4, 2014; implementing legislation takes effect only if voters approve the amendment.