NC H510

Reenacts nonpartisan judicial elections for North Carolina Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges, replacing partisan primary system with nonpartisan primary elections held on same date as other state primary elections.

Establishes filing period from December 1-21 for judicial candidates and requires payment of filing fees equal to 1% of annual office salary, or candidates may file petitions signed by registered voters (8,000 for statewide offices; 5% for district offices).

Creates North Carolina Public Campaign Fund financed by individual income tax checkoff designations, $50 surcharge on attorney membership fees, voluntary donations, and unspent campaign revenues to provide public financing for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals candidates who meet qualifying contribution thresholds.

Candidates choosing to participate in public financing must obtain qualifying contributions of $10-$500 from at least 350 registered voters during designated qualifying period and accept contribution and spending limits; certified candidates receive base funding with additional matching funds available based on opponent spending.

Establishes mandatory Judicial Voter Guide distributed to voters 7-28 days before elections containing candidate information and statements, and makes judicial election provisions effective for primaries and elections held on or after January 1, 2020.