(a)        Each district court district shall have the numbers of judges as set forth in the following table:

 

District                                        Judges                                           County

1                                                  5                                                    Camden

                                                                                                          Chowan

                                                                                                          Currituck

                                                                                                          Dare

                                                                                                          Gates

                                                                                                          Pasquotank

                                                                                                          Perquimans

2                                                  4                                                    Martin

                                                                                                          Beaufort

                                                                                                          Tyrrell

                                                                                                          Hyde

                                                                                                          Washington

3A                                               6                                                    Pitt

3B                                               6                                                    Craven

                                                                                                          Pamlico

                                                                                                          Carteret

4                                                  9                                                    Sampson

                                                                                                          Duplin

                                                                                                          Jones

                                                                                                          Onslow

5                                                  9                                                    New Hanover

                                                                                                          Pender

6                                                  4                                                    Northampton

                                                                                                          Bertie

                                                                                                          Hertford

                                                                                                          Halifax

7                                                  7                                                    Nash

                                                                                                          Edgecombe

                                                                                                          Wilson

8                                                  6                                                    Wayne

                                                                                                          Greene

                                                                                                          Lenoir

9                                                  5                                                    Granville

                                                                                                          (part of Vance see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

                                                                                                          Franklin

                                                                                                          Person

9B                                               2                                                    Warren

10A                                             3                                                    (part of Vance see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10B                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10C                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10D                                             5                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10E                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10F                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

11                                                11                                                  Harnett

                                                                                                          Johnston

                                                                                                          Lee

12                                                10                                                  Cumberland

13                                                7                                                    Bladen

                                                                                                          Brunswick

                                                                                                          Columbus

14                                                7                                                    Durham

15A                                             4                                                    Alamance

15B                                             5                                                    Orange

                                                                                                          Chatham

16A                                             4                                                    Scotland

                                                                                                          Anson

                                                                                                          Richmond

16B                                             6                                                    Robeson

17A                                             4                                                    Caswell

                                                                                                          Rockingham

17B                                             4                                                    Stokes

                                                                                                          Surry

18                                                14                                                  Guilford

19A                                             6                                                    Cabarrus

19B                                             5                                                    Randolph

19C                                             5                                                    Rowan

19D                                             5                                                    Hoke, Moore

20A                                             3                                                    Montgomery, Stanly

20B                                             1                                                    (part of Union see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

20C                                             2                                                    (part of Union see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

20D                                             2                                                    Union

21                                                11                                                  Forsyth

22A                                             6                                                    Alexander

                                                                                                          Iredell

22B                                             6                                                    Davidson

                                                                                                          Davie

23                                                4                                                    Alleghany

                                                                                                          Ashe

                                                                                                          Wilkes

                                                                                                          Yadkin

24                                                4                                                    Avery

                                                                                                          Madison

                                                                                                          Mitchell

                                                                                                          Watauga

                                                                                                          Yancey

25                                                10                                                  Burke

                                                                                                          Caldwell

                                                                                                          Catawba

26                                                21                                                  Mecklenburg

27A                                             7                                                    Gaston

27B                                             6                                                    Cleveland

                                                                                                          Lincoln

28                                                7                                                    Buncombe

29A                                             4                                                    McDowell

                                                                                                          Rutherford

29B                                             5                                                    Henderson

                                                                                                          Polk

                                                                                                          Transylvania

30                                                6                                                    Cherokee

                                                                                                          Clay

                                                                                                          Graham

                                                                                                          Haywood

                                                                                                          Jackson

                                                                                                          Macon

                                                                                                          Swain.

(b)        For district court districts of less than a whole county, or with part or all of one county with part of another, the composition of the district is as follows:

(1)        District Court District 9 consists of Person, Franklin and Granville Counties and the remainder of Vance County not in District Court District 9B.

(2)        District Court District 9B consists of Warren County and VTD EH1, VTD MIDD, VTD NH1, VTD NH2, VTD TWNS, VTD WMSB of Vance County.

(3)        (Repealed effective January 1, 2025 – see notes) District Court District 20C consists of the remainder of Union County not in District Court District 20B.

(4)        (Repealed effective January 1, 2025 – see notes) District Court District 20B consists of Precinct 01: Tract 204.01: Block Group 2: Block 2040, Block 2057, Block 2058, Block 2060, Block 2061, Block 2062, Block 2064, Block 2065; Tract 204.02: Block Group 2: Block 2001, Block 2002, Block 2003, Block 2004, Block 2005, Block 2006, Block 2007, Block 2008, Block 2009, Block 2010, Block 2011, Block 2012, Block 2013, Block 2014, Block 2015, Block 2016, Block 2017, Block 2018, Block 2023, Block 2024, Block 2025, Block 2026, Block 2027, Block 2028, Block 2029, Block 2030, Block 2031, Block 2032, Block 2033, Block 2034; Block Group 3: Block 3000, Block 3003, Block 3004, Block 3005, Block 3006, Block 3007, Block 3008, Block 3009, Block 3010, Block 3011, Block 3012, Block 3013, Block 3014, Block 3015, Block 3016, Block 3017, Block 3018, Block 3019, Block 3020, Block 3021, Block 3022, Block 3023, Block 3024, Block 3025, Block 3026, Block 3027, Block 3028, Block 3029, Block 3030, Block 3031, Block 3032, Block 3033, Block 3034, Block 3035, Block 3036, Block 3037, Block 3038, Block 3039, Block 3040, Block 3041, Block 3042, Block 3043, Block 3044, Block 3045, Block 3046, Block 3047; Block Group 4: Block 4035, Block 4054, Block 4055; Precinct 02: Tract 205: Block Group 1: Block 1000, Block 1001, Block 1002, Block 1003, Block 1004, Block 1005, Block 1006, Block 1007, Block 1009, Block 1010, Block 1011, Block 1012, Block 1013, Block 1014, Block 1015, Block 1016, Block 1017, Block 1018, Block 1019, Block 1020, Block 1021, Block 1022, Block 1023, Block 1037, Block 1038; Block Group 2: Block 2081, Block 2082, Block 2092, Block 2099, Block 2100, Block 2101, Block 2102; Tract 206: Block Group 3: Block 3036, Block 3038, Block 3039, Block 3040, Block 3048; Block Group 4: Block 4053; Precinct 03, Precinct 04, Precinct 06: Tract 202.02: Block Group 1: Block 1012, Block 1013, Block 1014, Block 1015, Block 1017, Block 1018, Block 1021, Block 1022, Block 1023; Tract 204.01: Block Group 2: Block 2000, Block 2001, Block 2002, Block 2003, Block 2004, Block 2005, Block 2033, Block 2034, Block 2035, Block 2036, Block 2041, Block 2042, Block 2043, Block 2044, Block 2045, Block 2056, Block 2063, Block 2999; Precinct 08, Precinct 09, Precinct 10, Precinct 13, Precinct 23: Tract 206: Block Group 4: Block 4051; Precinct 25: Tract 206: Block Group 4: Block 4036; Precinct 34, Precinct 36, Precinct 43 of Union County.

(5)        District 10A: Wake County: VTD 01-42, VTD 01-47, VTD 02-01, VTD 02-02, VTD 02-03, VTD 02-04, VTD 02-05, VTD 02-06, VTD 07-02, VTD 07-06, VTD 07-07, VTD 08-04, VTD 08-05, VTD 08-07, VTD 09-01, VTD 09-03, VTD 10-01, VTD 13-10, VTD 13-11, VTD 14-01, VTD 14-02, VTD 19-03, VTD 19-04, VTD 19-05, VTD 19-06, VTD 19-07, VTD 19-09, VTD 19-10, VTD 19-11, VTD 19-12.

(6)        District 10B: Wake County: VTD 09-02, VTD 10-02, VTD 10-03, VTD 10-04, VTD 13-01, VTD 13-07, VTD 13-08, VTD 13-09, VTD 16-08, VTD 17-02, VTD 17-03, VTD 17-04, VTD 17-06, VTD 17-07, VTD 17-08, VTD 17-09, VTD 17-11, VTD 19-16, VTD 19-17.

(7)        District 10C: Wake County: VTD 01-04, VTD 01-09, VTD 01-10, VTD 01-12, VTD 01-13, VTD 01-14, VTD 01-15, VTD 01-17, VTD 01-18, VTD 01-28, VTD 01-30, VTD 01-34, VTD 01-36, VTD 01-37, VTD 01-38, VTD 01-39, VTD 01-43, VTD 01-44, VTD 01-45, VTD 01-46, VTD 01-51, VTD 07-03, VTD 07-04, VTD 07-05, VTD 07-09, VTD 07-11, VTD 07-12, VTD 07-13, VTD 08-02, VTD 08-06, VTD 08-09, VTD 13-02, VTD 13-05, VTD 13-06, VTD 17-01, VTD 17-05, VTD 17-10.

(8)        District 10D: Wake County: VTD 01-01, VTD 01-02, VTD 01-03, VTD 01-05, VTD 01-06, VTD 01-07, VTD 01-11, VTD 01-16, VTD 01-29, VTD 01-33, VTD 01-49, VTD 04-01, VTD 04-02, VTD 04-03, VTD 04-04, VTD 04-05, VTD 04-06, VTD 04-07, VTD 04-08, VTD 04-09, VTD 04-10, VTD 04-11, VTD 04-12, VTD 04-14, VTD 04-15, VTD 04-16, VTD 04-17, VTD 04-18, VTD 04-20, VTD 04-21, VTD 05-05, VTD 06-05, VTD 06-07, VTD 07-01, VTD 07-10, VTD 08-03, VTD 08-08, VTD 08-10, VTD 08-11, VTD 11-01, VTD 11-02, VTD 12-01, VTD 12-02, VTD 12-04, VTD 12-05, VTD 12-06, VTD 12-07, VTD 12-09, VTD 15-01, VTD 15-02, VTD 15-03, VTD 15-04, VTD 16-01, VTD 16-05, VTD 16-09, VTD 18-02, VTD 18-03, VTD 18-05, VTD 20-03, VTD 20-05, VTD 20-09.

(9)        District 10E: Wake County: VTD 01-19, VTD 01-20, VTD 01-21, VTD 01-22, VTD 01-23, VTD 01-25, VTD 01-26, VTD 01-27, VTD 01-31, VTD 01-32, VTD 01-35, VTD 01-40, VTD 01-41, VTD 01-48, VTD 01-50, VTD 16-02, VTD 16-03, VTD 16-04, VTD 16-06, VTD 16-07, VTD 18-01, VTD 18-04, VTD 18-06, VTD 18-07, VTD 18-08.

(10)      District 10F: Wake County: VTD 03-00, VTD 04-13, VTD 04-19, VTD 05-01, VTD 05-03, VTD 05-04, VTD 05-06, VTD 06-01, VTD 06-04, VTD 06-06, VTD 12-08, VTD 20-01, VTD 20-02, VTD 20-04, VTD 20-06, VTD 20-08, VTD 20-10, VTD 20-11, VTD 20-12.

(11)      through (18) Repealed by Session Laws 2020-84, s. 2(a), effective January 1, 2021.

The names and boundaries of voting tabulation districts specified for Wake County, and Vance County in this section are as shown on the 2010 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles. Precinct boundaries for Union County are those shown on the Legislative Services Office’s redistricting computer database on January 1, 2005; and for other counties are those reported by the United States Bureau of the Census under Public Law 94-171 for the 1990 Census in the IVTD Version of the TIGER files.

(b1)      The qualified voters of District Court District 11 shall elect all eight judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Johnston County may be candidates for five of the judgeships, only persons who reside in Harnett County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Lee County may be candidates for the remaining judgeship.

(b2)      The qualified voters of District Court District 13 shall elect all seven judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Bladen County may be candidates for one of those judgeships, only persons who reside in Columbus County may be candidates for two of those judgeships, and only persons who reside in Brunswick County may be candidates for four of those judgeships. These district court judgeships shall be numbered and assigned for residency purposes as follows:

(1)        Seat number one, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Barefoot.

(2)        Seat number two, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Fairley.

(3)        Seat number three, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Warren.

(4)        Seat number four, established for residents of Columbus County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Jolly.

(5)        Seat number five, established for residents of Columbus County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Tyler.

(6)        Seat number six, established for residents of Bladen County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Ussery.

(7)        Seat number seven, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat created on January 1, 2023.

(b3)      The qualified voters of District Court District 22A shall elect all five judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Alexander County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Iredell County may be candidates for three of the judgeships.

(b4)      The qualified voters of District Court District 22B shall elect all six judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Davie County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Davidson County may be candidates for four of the judgeships.

(b5)      The qualified voters of District 16A shall elect all judges established for District 16A in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Anson County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, only persons who reside in Scotland County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Richmond County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships. In order to implement this section the following shall apply in order to transition from at large seats to residency requirements:

(1)        In 2020, and every four years thereafter, the district court judgeship requiring a resident of Anson County shall be elected, and a district court judgeship requiring a resident of Richmond County shall be elected.

(2)        In 2022, and every four years thereafter, the district court judgeship requiring a resident of Scotland County shall be elected, and a district court judgeship requiring a resident of Richmond County shall be elected.

(b6)      The qualified voters of District 20A shall elect all judges established for District 20A in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Montgomery County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Stanly County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships.

(b7)      Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the qualified voters of District 25 shall elect all judges established for District 25 in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Catawba County may be candidates for five of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships. In order to implement this section the following shall apply in order to transition from at large seats to residency requirements:

(1)        Transition of seats; regular elections. – For any district court judgeship that is held by a resident of Burke or Caldwell Counties on July 1, 2018, at the next general election after July 1, 2018, that district court judgeship shall be filled only by a person who is a resident of Burke or Caldwell Counties. Until such time as three district court judgeships transition under subdivision (2) of this subsection, for any district court judgeship that is held by a resident of Catawba County on July 1, 2018, that district court judgeship shall, at the next general election after July 1, 2018, be filled only by a person who is a resident of Burke, Caldwell, or Catawba County.

(2)        Transition of seats; vacancies. – Upon each of the first three district court judgeship vacancies occurring in District Court District 25 after July 1, 2018, due to death, resignation, removal, or retirement of a person who is a resident of Catawba County holding a judgeship on July 1, 2018, that vacancy shall be filled according to law for the remainder of the unfilled term. At the next general election held for that district court judgeship, only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may be candidates for that district court judgeship. Any primary associated with that general election for that district court judgeship after the completion of the term shall also be held accordingly, in accordance with this subsection.

(3)        Notification to State Board. – Upon each of the first three district court judgeship vacancies occurring after July 1, 2018, in District Court District 25 due to the death, resignation, removal, or retirement of a person who is a resident of Catawba County holding a judgeship on July 1, 2018, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide written notice of the vacancy to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. During the filing period for that district court judgeship at the next general election held for that district court judgeship, the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement shall ensure that only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may file as candidates for that district court judgeship in accordance [with] this subsection.

(4)        Final transition. – If a total of three district court judgeships have not transferred under subdivision (2) of this subsection to be eligible to be held by only persons who are residents of Burke or Caldwell Counties by January 1, 2030, a sufficient number of district court judgeships to total three district court judgeships shall be transferred to be held by only persons who are residents of Burke or Caldwell Counties on January 1, 2031, and the 2030 elections shall be held accordingly.

(b8)      The qualified voters of District Court District 19D shall elect all judges established for District 19D in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Hoke County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Hoke or Moore County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships.

(c)        Each county shall have the numbers of magistrates and additional seats of district court, as set forth in the following table:

 

                                                            Magistrates                              Additional

County                                                Min.                                Seats of Court

Camden                                                   3

Chowan                                                   3

Currituck                                                 4

Dare                                                        5

Gates                                                       2

Pasquotank                                              4

Perquimans                                             3

Martin                                                     3

Beaufort                                                  4

Tyrrell                                                     3

Hyde                                                       3.5

Washington                                             3

Pitt                                                         11.5                                 Farmville

                                                                                                      Ayden

Craven                                                     8                                    Havelock

Pamlico                                                   3

Carteret                                                   6

Sampson                                                 5

Duplin                                                     4

Jones                                                       2

Onslow                                                  11

New Hanover                                        12

Pender                                                     4.8

Halifax                                                    7                                    Roanoke

                                                                                                      Rapids,

                                                                                                      Scotland Neck

Northampton                                           3

Bertie                                                      3

Hertford                                                  3

Nash                                                        9                                    Rocky Mount

Edgecombe                                             7                                    Rocky Mount

Wilson                                                     7

Wayne                                                     9                                    Mount Olive

Greene                                                     3

Lenoir                                                     7                                    La Grange

Granville                                                 5

Vance                                                      6

Warren                                                    3

Franklin                                                   4

Person                                                     4

Caswell                                                   4

Wake                                                     23.5                                 Apex, Wendell,

                                                                                                      Fuquay-Varina,

                                                                                                      Wake Forest

Harnett                                                    8                                    Dunn

Johnston                                                10                                    Benson,

                                                                                                      Clayton,

                                                                                                      Selma

Lee                                                          5

Cumberland                                          19

Bladen                                                     3

Brunswick                                               8

Columbus                                                5                                    Tabor City

Durham                                                 13

Alamance                                              12                                    Burlington

Orange                                                    7                                    Chapel Hill

Chatham                                                  4                                    Siler City

Scotland                                                  5

Hoke                                                       3

Robeson                                                12                                    Fairmont,

                                                                                                      Maxton,

                                                                                                      Pembroke,

                                                                                                      Red Springs,

                                                                                                      Rowland,

                                                                                                      St. Pauls

Rockingham                                            7                                    Reidsville,

                                                                                                      Eden,

                                                                                                      Madison

Stokes                                                     3

Surry                                                       6                                    Mt. Airy

Guilford                                                25.4                                 High Point

Cabarrus                                                  9                                    Kannapolis

Montgomery                                           3

Randolph                                                 9                                    Liberty

Rowan                                                     9

Stanly                                                      5

Union                                                      9

Anson                                                      3

Richmond                                               5                                    Hamlet

Moore                                                     6                                    Southern

                                                                                                      Pines

Forsyth                                                  16                                    Kernersville

Alexander                                               3

Davidson                                                 9                                    Thomasville

Davie                                                       3

Iredell                                                      9                                    Mooresville

Alleghany                                               2

Ashe                                                        3

Wilkes                                                     6

Yadkin                                                    3

Avery                                                      3

Madison                                                  3

Mitchell                                                   3

Watauga                                                  4

Yancey                                                    3

Burke                                                      5.6

Caldwell                                                  6

Catawba                                                10                                    Hickory

Mecklenburg                                         31.5

Gaston                                                   17

Cleveland                                                8

Lincoln                                                    6

Buncombe                                             15

Henderson                                               6.5

McDowell                                               3

Polk                                                         3

Rutherford                                               6

Transylvania                                           3

Cherokee                                                 3

Clay                                                         2

Graham                                                   2

Haywood                                                 5                                    Canton

Jackson                                                   3

Macon                                                     3

Swain                                                      3

(1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 691, s. 8; 1969, c. 1190, s. 10; c. 1254; 1971, c. 377, s. 7; cc. 727, 840, 841, 842, 843, 865, 866, 898; 1973, cc. 132, 373, 483; c. 838, s. 1; c. 1376; 1975, c. 956, ss. 8, 10; 1977, cc. 121, 122; c. 678, s. 2; c. 947, s. 1; c. 1130, ss. 4, 5; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1238, s. 3; c. 1243, ss. 3, 6; 1979, c. 465; c. 838, ss. 117, 118; c. 1072, ss. 2, 3; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1221, s. 2; 1981, c. 964, s. 4; 1983, c. 881, s. 5; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1109, s. 5; 1985, c. 698, ss. 7(a), 12; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1014, s. 222; 1987, c. 738, ss. 126(a), 130(a); 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1056, s. 4; c. 1075; c. 1100, s. 17.2(a); 1989, c. 795, s. 23(a), (d), (h); 1991, c. 742, ss. 11, 12(a); 1993, c. 321, ss. 200.4(e), 200.6(a), (d); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, s. 24.9; 1995, c. 507, s. 21.1(c); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 589, s. 2(a); 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, ss. 22.4, 22.7(a); 1997-443, ss. 18.12(a), 18.13; 1998-212, ss. 16.11, 16.16(a); 1998-217, s. 67.3(a); 1999-237, ss. 17.4, 17.6(a); 2000-67, ss. 15.2, 15.3(a); 2001-400, s. 1; 2001-424, ss. 22.16, 22.17(a); 2003-284, s. 13.8; 2004-124, ss. 14.1(a), 14.6(e); 2005-276, s. 14.2(f), (f1); 2005-345, s. 27(a), (b); 2006-66, ss. 14.4(a), 14.5; 2006-96, s. 1; 2006-187, s. 7(a); 2006-221, s. 14(a); 2006-264, s. 93(a); 2007-323, ss. 14.13(a), (d), 14.25(e), (f); 2007-484, s. 25(a), 36; 2008-107, s. 14.13(a); 2009-341, s. 1; 2012-194, s. 1(c), (d); 2013-360, s. 18B.22(f); 2016-94, s. 19B.3(a); 2017-57, s. 18B.9(c); 2018-14, s. 2(a); 2018-121, s. 2(a); 2019-229, s. 2(a); 2020-84, s. 2(a); 2021-148, s. 1; 2021-180, s. 16.7(a), (c); 2022-6, s. 8.1; 2022-74, s. 16.5.)

 

? 7A-133.? (Effective January 1, 2025) Numbers of judges by districts; numbers of magistrates and additional seats of court, by counties.

(a)        Each district court district shall have the numbers of judges as set forth in the following table:

 

District                                        Judges                                           County

1                                                  5                                                    Camden

                                                                                                          Chowan

                                                                                                          Currituck

                                                                                                          Dare

                                                                                                          Gates

                                                                                                          Pasquotank

                                                                                                          Perquimans

2                                                  4                                                    Martin

                                                                                                          Beaufort

                                                                                                          Tyrrell

                                                                                                          Hyde

                                                                                                          Washington

3A                                               6                                                    Pitt

3B                                               6                                                    Craven

                                                                                                          Pamlico

                                                                                                          Carteret

4                                                  9                                                    Sampson

                                                                                                          Duplin

                                                                                                          Jones

                                                                                                          Onslow

5                                                  9                                                    New Hanover

                                                                                                          Pender

6                                                  4                                                    Northampton

                                                                                                          Bertie

                                                                                                          Hertford

                                                                                                          Halifax

7                                                  7                                                    Nash

                                                                                                          Edgecombe

                                                                                                          Wilson

8                                                  6                                                    Wayne

                                                                                                          Greene

                                                                                                          Lenoir

9                                                  5                                                    Granville

                                                                                                          (part of Vance see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

                                                    Franklin

                                                    Person

9B                                               2                                                    Warren

10A                                             3                                                    (part of Vance see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10B                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10C                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10D                                             5                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10E                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

10F                                             3                                                    (part of Wake see subsection

                                                                                                          (b))

11                                                11                                                  Harnett

                                                                                                          Johnston

                                                                                                          Lee

12                                                10                                                  Cumberland

13                                                6                                                    Bladen

                                                                                                          Brunswick

                                                                                                          Columbus

14                                                7                                                    Durham

15A                                             4                                                    Alamance

15B                                             5                                                    Orange

                                                                                                          Chatham

16A                                             4                                                    Scotland

                                                                                                          Anson

                                                                                                          Richmond

16B                                             6                                                    Robeson

17A                                             4                                                    Caswell

                                                                                                          Rockingham

17B                                             4                                                    Stokes

                                                                                                          Surry

18                                                14                                                  Guilford

19A                                             6                                                    Cabarrus

19B                                             5                                                    Randolph

19C                                             5                                                    Rowan

13D                                             4                                                    Hoke, Moore

20A                                             3                                                    Montgomery, Stanly

20B                                             5                                                    Union

21                                                11                                                  Forsyth

22A                                             6                                                    Alexander

                                                                                                          Iredell

22B                                             6                                                    Davidson

                                                                                                          Davie

23                                                4                                                    Alleghany

                                                                                                          Ashe

                                                                                                          Wilkes

                                                                                                          Yadkin

24                                                4                                                    Avery

                                                                                                          Madison

                                                                                                          Mitchell

                                                                                                          Watauga

                                                                                                          Yancey

25                                                10                                                  Burke

                                                                                                          Caldwell

                                                                                                          Catawba

26                                                21                                                  Mecklenburg

27A                                             7                                                    Gaston

27B                                             6                                                    Cleveland

                                                                                                          Lincoln

28                                                7                                                    Buncombe

29A                                             4                                                    McDowell

                                                                                                          Rutherford

29B                                             4                                                    Henderson

                                                                                                          Polk

                                                                                                          Transylvania

30                                                6                                                    Cherokee

                                                                                                          Clay

                                                                                                          Graham

                                                                                                          Haywood

                                                                                                          Jackson

                                                                                                          Macon

                                                                                                          Swain.

(b)        For district court districts of less than a whole county, or with part or all of one county with part of another, the composition of the district is as follows:

(1)        District Court District 9 consists of Person, Franklin and Granville Counties and the remainder of Vance County not in District Court District 9B.

(2)        District Court District 9B consists of Warren County and VTD EH1, VTD MIDD, VTD NH1, VTD NH2, VTD TWNS, VTD WMSB of Vance County.

(3)        Repealed by Session Laws 2021-180, s. 16.7(b), effective January 1, 2025.

(4)        Repealed by Session Laws 2021-180, s. 16.7(b), effective January 1, 2025.

(5)        District 10A: Wake County: VTD 01-42, VTD 01-47, VTD 02-01, VTD 02-02, VTD 02-03, VTD 02-04, VTD 02-05, VTD 02-06, VTD 07-02, VTD 07-06, VTD 07-07, VTD 08-04, VTD 08-05, VTD 08-07, VTD 09-01, VTD 09-03, VTD 10-01, VTD 13-10, VTD 13-11, VTD 14-01, VTD 14-02, VTD 19-03, VTD 19-04, VTD 19-05, VTD 19-06, VTD 19-07, VTD 19-09, VTD 19-10, VTD 19-11, VTD 19-12.

(6)        District 10B: Wake County: VTD 09-02, VTD 10-02, VTD 10-03, VTD 10-04, VTD 13-01, VTD 13-07, VTD 13-08, VTD 13-09, VTD 16-08, VTD 17-02, VTD 17-03, VTD 17-04, VTD 17-06, VTD 17-07, VTD 17-08, VTD 17-09, VTD 17-11, VTD 19-16, VTD 19-17.

(7)        District 10C: Wake County: VTD 01-04, VTD 01-09, VTD 01-10, VTD 01-12, VTD 01-13, VTD 01-14, VTD 01-15, VTD 01-17, VTD 01-18, VTD 01-28, VTD 01-30, VTD 01-34, VTD 01-36, VTD 01-37, VTD 01-38, VTD 01-39, VTD 01-43, VTD 01-44, VTD 01-45, VTD 01-46, VTD 01-51, VTD 07-03, VTD 07-04, VTD 07-05, VTD 07-09, VTD 07-11, VTD 07-12, VTD 07-13, VTD 08-02, VTD 08-06, VTD 08-09, VTD 13-02, VTD 13-05, VTD 13-06, VTD 17-01, VTD 17-05, VTD 17-10.

(8)        District 10D: Wake County: VTD 01-01, VTD 01-02, VTD 01-03, VTD 01-05, VTD 01-06, VTD 01-07, VTD 01-11, VTD 01-16, VTD 01-29, VTD 01-33, VTD 01-49, VTD 04-01, VTD 04-02, VTD 04-03, VTD 04-04, VTD 04-05, VTD 04-06, VTD 04-07, VTD 04-08, VTD 04-09, VTD 04-10, VTD 04-11, VTD 04-12, VTD 04-14, VTD 04-15, VTD 04-16, VTD 04-17, VTD 04-18, VTD 04-20, VTD 04-21, VTD 05-05, VTD 06-05, VTD 06-07, VTD 07-01, VTD 07-10, VTD 08-03, VTD 08-08, VTD 08-10, VTD 08-11, VTD 11-01, VTD 11-02, VTD 12-01, VTD 12-02, VTD 12-04, VTD 12-05, VTD 12-06, VTD 12-07, VTD 12-09, VTD 15-01, VTD 15-02, VTD 15-03, VTD 15-04, VTD 16-01, VTD 16-05, VTD 16-09, VTD 18-02, VTD 18-03, VTD 18-05, VTD 20-03, VTD 20-05, VTD 20-09.

(9)        District 10E: Wake County: VTD 01-19, VTD 01-20, VTD 01-21, VTD 01-22, VTD 01-23, VTD 01-25, VTD 01-26, VTD 01-27, VTD 01-31, VTD 01-32, VTD 01-35, VTD 01-40, VTD 01-41, VTD 01-48, VTD 01-50, VTD 16-02, VTD 16-03, VTD 16-04, VTD 16-06, VTD 16-07, VTD 18-01, VTD 18-04, VTD 18-06, VTD 18-07, VTD 18-08.

(10)      District 10F: Wake County: VTD 03-00, VTD 04-13, VTD 04-19, VTD 05-01, VTD 05-03, VTD 05-04, VTD 05-06, VTD 06-01, VTD 06-04, VTD 06-06, VTD 12-08, VTD 20-01, VTD 20-02, VTD 20-04, VTD 20-06, VTD 20-08, VTD 20-10, VTD 20-11, VTD 20-12.

(11)      through (18) Repealed by Session Laws 2020-84, s. 2(a), effective January 1, 2021.

The names and boundaries of voting tabulation districts specified for Wake County, and Vance County in this section are as shown on the 2010 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles. Precinct boundaries for other counties are those reported by the United States Bureau of the Census under Public Law 94-171 for the 1990 Census in the IVTD Version of the TIGER files.

(b1)      The qualified voters of District Court District 11 shall elect all eight judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Johnston County may be candidates for five of the judgeships, only persons who reside in Harnett County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Lee County may be candidates for the remaining judgeship.

(b2)      The qualified voters of District Court District 13 shall elect all seven judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Bladen County may be candidates for one of those judgeships, only persons who reside in Columbus County may be candidates for two of those judgeships, and only persons who reside in Brunswick County may be candidates for four of those judgeships. These district court judgeships shall be numbered and assigned for residency purposes as follows:

(1)        Seat number one, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Barefoot.

(2)        Seat number two, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Fairley.

(3)        Seat number three, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Warren.

(4)        Seat number four, established for residents of Columbus County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Jolly.

(5)        Seat number five, established for residents of Columbus County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Tyler.

(6)        Seat number six, established for residents of Bladen County by this section, shall be the seat currently held by Judge Ussery.

(7)        Seat number seven, established for residents of Brunswick County by this section, shall be the seat created on January 1, 2023.

(b3)      The qualified voters of District Court District 22A shall elect all five judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Alexander County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Iredell County may be candidates for three of the judgeships.

(b4)      The qualified voters of District Court District 22B shall elect all six judges established for the District in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Davie County may be candidates for two of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Davidson County may be candidates for four of the judgeships.

(b5)      The qualified voters of District 16A shall elect all judges established for District 16A in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Anson County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, only persons who reside in Scotland County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Richmond County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships. In order to implement this section the following shall apply in order to transition from at large seats to residency requirements:

(1)        In 2020, and every four years thereafter, the district court judgeship requiring a resident of Anson County shall be elected, and a district court judgeship requiring a resident of Richmond County shall be elected.

(2)        In 2022, and every four years thereafter, the district court judgeship requiring a resident of Scotland County shall be elected, and a district court judgeship requiring a resident of Richmond County shall be elected.

(b6)      The qualified voters of District 20A shall elect all judges established for District 20A in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Montgomery County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Stanly County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships.

(b7)      Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the qualified voters of District 25 shall elect all judges established for District 25 in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Catawba County may be candidates for five of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships. In order to implement this section the following shall apply in order to transition from at large seats to residency requirements:

(1)        Transition of seats; regular elections. – For any district court judgeship that is held by a resident of Burke or Caldwell Counties on July 1, 2018, at the next general election after July 1, 2018, that district court judgeship shall be filled only by a person who is a resident of Burke or Caldwell Counties. Until such time as three district court judgeships transition under subdivision (2) of this subsection, for any district court judgeship that is held by a resident of Catawba County on July 1, 2018, that district court judgeship shall, at the next general election after July 1, 2018, be filled only by a person who is a resident of Burke, Caldwell, or Catawba County.

(2)        Transition of seats; vacancies. – Upon each of the first three district court judgeship vacancies occurring in District Court District 25 after July 1, 2018, due to death, resignation, removal, or retirement of a person who is a resident of Catawba County holding a judgeship on July 1, 2018, that vacancy shall be filled according to law for the remainder of the unfilled term. At the next general election held for that district court judgeship, only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may be candidates for that district court judgeship. Any primary associated with that general election for that district court judgeship after the completion of the term shall also be held accordingly, in accordance with this subsection.

(3)        Notification to State Board. – Upon each of the first three district court judgeship vacancies occurring after July 1, 2018, in District Court District 25 due to the death, resignation, removal, or retirement of a person who is a resident of Catawba County holding a judgeship on July 1, 2018, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide written notice of the vacancy to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. During the filing period for that district court judgeship at the next general election held for that district court judgeship, the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement shall ensure that only persons who reside in Burke or Caldwell County may file as candidates for that district court judgeship in accordance [with] this subsection.

(4)        Final transition. – If a total of three district court judgeships have not transferred under subdivision (2) of this subsection to be eligible to be held by only persons who are residents of Burke or Caldwell Counties by January 1, 2030, a sufficient number of district court judgeships to total three district court judgeships shall be transferred to be held by only persons who are residents of Burke or Caldwell Counties on January 1, 2031, and the 2030 elections shall be held accordingly.

(b8)      The qualified voters of District Court District 19D shall elect all judges established for District 19D in subsection (a) of this section, but only persons who reside in Hoke County may be candidates for one of the judgeships, and only persons who reside in Hoke or Moore County may be candidates for the remaining judgeships.

(c)        Each county shall have the numbers of magistrates and additional seats of district court, as set forth in the following table:

 

                                                            Magistrates                              Additional

County                                                Min.                                Seats of Court

Camden                                                   3

Chowan                                                   3

Currituck                                                 4

Dare                                                        5

Gates                                                       2

Pasquotank                                              4

Perquimans                                             3

Martin                                                     3

Beaufort                                                  4

Tyrrell                                                     3

Hyde                                                       3.5

Washington                                             3

Pitt                                                         11.5                                 Farmville

                                                                                                      Ayden

                                                                                                      Havelock

Craven                                                     8

Pamlico                                                   3

Carteret                                                   6

Sampson                                                 5

Duplin                                                     4

Jones                                                       2

Onslow                                                  11

New Hanover                                        12

Pender                                                     4.8

Halifax                                                    7                                    Roanoke Rapids,

                                                                                                      Scotland Neck

Northampton                                           3

Bertie                                                      3

Hertford                                                  3

Nash                                                        9                                    Rocky Mount

Edgecombe                                             7                                    Rocky Mount

Wilson                                                     7

Wayne                                                     9                                    Mount Olive

Greene                                                     3

Lenoir                                                     7                                    La Grange

Granville                                                 5

Vance                                                      6

Warren                                                    3

Franklin                                                   4

Person                                                     4

Caswell                                                   4

Wake                                                     23.5                                 Apex,

                                                                                                      Wendell,

                                                                                                      Fuquay-Varina,

                                                                                                      Wake Forest

Harnett                                                    8                                    Dunn

Johnston                                                10                                    Benson,

                                                                                                      Clayton,

                                                                                                            Selma

Lee                                                          5

Cumberland                                          19

Bladen                                                     3

Brunswick                                               8

Columbus                                                5                                    Tabor City

Durham                                                 13

Alamance                                              12                                    Burlington

Orange                                                    7                                    Chapel Hill

Chatham                                                  4                                    Siler City

Scotland                                                  5

Hoke                                                       3

Robeson                                                12                                    Fairmont,

                                                                                                      Maxton,

                                                                                                      Pembroke,

                                                                                                      Red Springs,

                                                                                                      Rowland,

                                                                                                      St. Pauls

Rockingham                                          77                                    Reidsville,

                                                                                                      Eden,

                                                                                                      Madison

Stokes                                                     3

Surry                                                       6                                    Mt. Airy

Guilford                                                25.4                                 High Point

Cabarrus                                                  9                                    Kannapolis

Montgomery                                           3

Randolph                                                 9                                    Liberty

Rowan                                                     9

Stanly                                                      5

Union                                                      9

Anson                                                      3

Richmond                                               5                                    Hamlet

Moore                                                     6                                    Southern Pines

Forsyth                                                  16                                    Kernersville

Alexander                                               3

Davidson                                                 9                                    Thomasville

Davie                                                       3

Iredell                                                      9                                    Mooresville

Alleghany                                               2

Ashe                                                        3

Wilkes                                                     6

Yadkin                                                    3

Avery                                                      3

Madison                                                  3

Mitchell                                                   3

Watauga                                                  4

Yancey                                                    3

Burke                                                      5.6

Caldwell                                                  6

Catawba                                                10                                    Hickory

Mecklenburg                                         31.5

Gaston                                                   17

Cleveland                                                8

Lincoln                                                    6

Buncombe                                             15

Henderson                                               6.5

McDowell                                               3

Polk                                                         3

Rutherford                                               6

Transylvania                                           3

Cherokee                                                 3

Clay                                                         2

Graham                                                   2

Haywood                                                 5                                    Canton

Jackson                                                   3

Macon                                                     3

Swain                                                      3

(1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 691, s. 8; 1969, c. 1190, s. 10; c. 1254; 1971, c. 377, s. 7; cc. 727, 840, 841, 842, 843, 865, 866, 898; 1973, cc. 132, 373, 483; c. 838, s. 1; c. 1376; 1975, c. 956, ss. 8, 10; 1977, cc. 121, 122; c. 678, s. 2; c. 947, s. 1; c. 1130, ss. 4, 5; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1238, s. 3; c. 1243, ss. 3, 6; 1979, c. 465; c. 838, ss. 117, 118; c. 1072, ss. 2, 3; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1221, s. 2; 1981, c. 964, s. 4; 1983, c. 881, s. 5; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1109, s. 5; 1985, c. 698, ss. 7(a), 12; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1014, s. 222; 1987, c. 738, ss. 126(a), 130(a); 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1056, s. 4; c. 1075; c. 1100, s. 17.2(a); 1989, c. 795, s. 23(a), (d), (h); 1991, c. 742, ss. 11, 12(a); 1993, c. 321, ss. 200.4(e), 200.6(a), (d); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, s. 24.9; 1995, c. 507, s. 21.1(c); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 589, s. 2(a); 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, ss. 22.4, 22.7(a); 1997-443, ss. 18.12(a), 18.13; 1998-212, ss. 16.11, 16.16(a); 1998-217, s. 67.3(a); 1999-237, ss. 17.4, 17.6(a); 2000-67, ss. 15.2, 15.3(a); 2001-400, s. 1; 2001-424, ss. 22.16, 22.17(a); 2003-284, s. 13.8; 2004-124, ss. 14.1(a), 14.6(e); 2005-276, s. 14.2(f), (f1); 2005-345, s. 27(a), (b); 2006-66, ss. 14.4(a), 14.5; 2006-96, s. 1; 2006-187, s. 7(a); 2006-221, s. 14(a); 2006-264, s. 93(a); 2007-323, ss. 14.13(a), (d), 14.25(e), (f); 2007-484, s. 25(a), 36; 2008-107, s. 14.13(a); 2009-341, s. 1; 2012-194, s. 1(c), (d); 2013-360, s. 18B.22(f); 2016-94, s. 19B.3(a); 2017-57, s. 18B.9(c); 2018-14, s. 2(a); 2018-121, s. 2(a); 2019-229, s. 2(a); 2020-84, s. 2(a); 2021-148, s. 1; 2021-180, s. 16.7(a)-(c); 2022-6, s. 8.1; 2022-74, s. 16.5.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 7A-133

  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • United States: shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3