House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition.
Deletes the repeal of Article 22D of GS Chapter 163, which establishes the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund as an alternative source of campaign financing available to candidates for Justice of the Supreme Court and Judge of the Court of Appeals. Makes conforming changes reinstating subsections (e2) and (e3) to GS 163-278.13 (subsections were repealed in 1st edition). Deletes the repeal of GS 105-159.2.
Recodifies GS 163-329, as amended in this act, as GS 163-120. Repeals the remainder of Article 25 of GS Chapter 163, which sets out the process for conducting nonpartisan judicial races. Repeals GS 163-278.64A (special participation provisions for candidates in vacancy elections).
Amends various partisan election procedural statutes to include judicial candidates. Allows a judicial candidate to decide whether or not to have the candidate's party affiliation printed on the general election ballot. Exempts judicial candidates from the straight-party ticket vote. Makes conforming changes necessary to implement the repeal of Article 25 of GS Chapter 163.
Makes conforming change to the title.
Effective with respect to primaries and elections held on or after January 1, 2012.