Terms of Office

Overview

The following charts show the terms of office for federal, state and judicial offices in North Carolina.

Federal

Office Terms of Office Governing Statute
President 4 years; Two-term limit U.S. Const. Art II, § 1
Vice President 4 years; No term limit U.S. Const. Art II, § 1
U.S. Senator 6 years; No term limit U.S. Const. Art 1, § 3
U.S. Representative 2 years; No term limit U.S. Const. Art 1, § 2

 

Statewide Offices

Office Terms of Office Governing Statute
Governor 4 years; limited to two consecutive terms N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Lt. Governor 4 years; limited to two consecutive terms N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Secretary of State 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
State Auditor 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
State Treasurer 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
State Superintendent of Public Instruction 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Attorney General 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Commissioner of Agriculture 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Commissioner of Labor 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7
Commissioner of Insurance 4 years; No term limit N.C. Const. Art. III, §§ 2, 7

General Assembly

Office Terms of Office Governing Statute
North Carolina State Senator 2 years; no term limit N.C. Const. Art. II, § 2
North Carolina State Representative 2 years; no term limit N.C. Const. Art. II, § 4

Judicial

Office Terms of Office Governing Statute
District Attorney 4 years N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 18
Supreme Court Justices 8 years N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 16
Appellate Court Judges 8 years N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 16
Superior Court Judges 8 years N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 16
District Court Judges 4 years N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 10

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