Abstract

Tarheels Show the Way

The article presents information on the Judicial Campaign Reform Act, which makes public funding available to candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals in North Carolina. The governor has signed the bill, so North Carolina will become the first state to provide full public financing for top judgeship races. Under the new law, candidates who meet minimal qualifications and who agree to strict fundraising and spending limits can receive up to $137,000 in public funding for their primary elections and up to $600,000 for the general election. This is expected to cost North Carolina a total of only about $3.5 million per election cycle, and it will be financed in part by a voluntary $50 add-on to the annual licensing fees paid by lawyers.