H 68 Summary

• Reenacts nonpartisan (non-partisan) primary and general election system for North Carolina Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and superior and district court judges, effective for elections held on or after January 1, 2024.

• Establishes nonpartisan primary elections where candidates compete regardless of political party, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election for each open position.

• Reestablishes the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund to provide public financing for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals candidates who voluntarily accept spending and contribution limits and demonstrate public support through qualifying contributions.

• Fund receives revenue from individual income tax checkoffs ($3.00), attorney bar association surcharges ($50.00), voluntary donations, and unused campaign funds, with distributions ranging from 125-175 times the filing fee depending on the office and election type.

• Modifies campaign contribution limits for judicial candidates to $1,000 maximum ($2,000 for family members), applies only when the public financing fund is available.