NC S3

Requires judicial candidates' party affiliation on 2018 ballots to reflect only affiliations held for 90 days prior to filing, consistent with requirements for partisan office candidates under G.S. 163A-973.

Mandates ballot language stating that party information is shown only if candidates' party affiliation or unaffiliated status matches their voter registration at filing time and 90 days before filing.

Allows judicial candidates to withdraw their candidacy through August 8, 2018, in addition to the existing withdrawal deadline three business days before the filing period closes.

Requires the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to notify all 2018 judicial candidates who changed party affiliation or unaffiliated status within the 90-day window prior to filing.

Applies exclusively to the 2018 election cycle; became law on August 4, 2018, despite gubernatorial veto.