Table of Contents
About This Guide:
- 4 Appellate Court Contests
- About the Appellate Courts
- Voter Registration
Candidate Submissions:
- NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 1
- Anita Earls (Democrat)
- Sarah Stevens (Republican)
- NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1
- Michael C. Byrne (Republican)
- John S. Arrowood (Democrat)
- NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 2
- George Cooper Bell (Republican)
- Tobias (Toby) Hampson (Democrat)
- NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3
- Craig Collins (Republican)
- Christine Marie Walczyk (Democrat)
About This Guide
Pursuant to Voter education (N.C.G.S. § 163-278.69), the State Board must publish a Judicial Voter Guide that explains the functions of the appellate courts and the laws concerning the election of appellate judges, the purpose and function of the Public Campaign Fund, and the laws concerning voter registration.
This online guide was created at no cost. In the fall of 2026, a postcard mailer will be mailed to North Carolina households with information about this online guide and a QR code to access it. Funding for the postcard comes from the N.C. Public Campaign Fund, which was created by a $3 check-off designation on the state tax form and a $50 surcharge on annual dues paid by members of the North Carolina State Bar. The fund was repealed in 2013, and that fund is now depleted.
The order of candidates in this guide is the order in which they will appear on the general election ballot for their contest, which is based on a random drawing conducted according to state law.
The information for each candidate was provided by the candidate. Statements by candidates do not express or reflect the opinions of the State Board of Elections.
4 Appellate Court Contests
One N.C. Supreme Court associate justice contest and three N.C. Court of Appeals judge contests are on the ballot in the 2026 general election, which will be held Nov. 3.
About the Appellate Courts
The N.C. Supreme Court is the state’s highest court. One chief justice and six associate justices review cases from the N.C. Court of Appeals, the N.C. Business Court, and cases in which the death penalty has been imposed. For more information, see Supreme Court of North Carolina.
The N.C. Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court. It reviews cases first decided in District and Superior Courts, as well as appeals from administrative agencies. There are a total of 15 judges on the Court of Appeals, and appeals are decided by rotating panels of three judges who consider errors in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law. For more information, see North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges serve eight-year terms.
Voter Registration
For information about voter registration, visit the State Board’s Voter Registration Resources page.
Candidate Submissions
NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 1
Anita Earls
Democrat
Sarah Stevens
Republican
Residence
Durham
Education
J.D., Yale Law School, 1988; B.A., Williams College, 1981
Occupation
Senior Associate Justice
Employer
North Carolina Supreme Court
Date Admitted to the Bar
April 15, 1988
Legal/Judicial Experience
- Supreme Court of North Carolina, Senior Associate Justice, 2018-present
- Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Founder and Executive Director, 2007-2017
- UNC Center for Civil Rights, Director of Advocacy, 2003-2007
- Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, Voting Rights Project Director, 2000-2003
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, 1998-2000
- Ferguson, Stein Law Firm, 1988-1998
- UNC, Duke and University of Maryland, Adjunct Professor
Candidate Statement
In my nearly 40-year legal career – first as an attorney and now a Justice on the NC Supreme Court – I worked to uphold the Constitution, ensure the justice system treats everyone fairly, and hold those who have broken our laws accountable. After my brother was brutally murdered and his killer never prosecuted, I re-dedicated my life to fighting for justice for victims of crime and ensuring everyone gets their day in Court. I am the only candidate in this race with judicial experience and the only one with experience arguing cases in front of the Supreme Court as an attorney. I believe an independent Court is critically necessary to the balance of powers and absolutely required to maintain a democracy. All North Carolinians should have a fair and independent court that protects their personal freedoms no matter their race, gender or how much money they have in their pockets. Learn more at: www.earls4justice.com.
Residence
Mount Airy
Education
UNC Greensboro, 1981, B.S. Social Work; Campbell University School of Law, 1986
Occupation
Private practice attorney for 40 years; State legislator for 17.5 years
Employer
Stevens and Brintle; NC General Assembly
Date Admitted to the Bar
1986
Legal/Judicial Experience
14 years as a House Judiciary chair; 6 years as chair of the Court Commission; 40 years of law practice
Candidate Statement
I possess the knowledge and demeanor to be a Justice. I believe in following the law as written and a strict following of the constitution. I have been the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and chaired Judiciary committees whose purpose is to review the clarity and the constitutionality of the proposed legislation before it becomes law. I believe in the neutral application of the law.
I am running because my opponent has twice ruled against the constitution on issues of voter identification and redistricting. She has also rewritten the law and disturbed 90 years of common law. I have not been on the bench before but neither had my opponent until the last election.
NC Court of Appeals Seat 1
Michael C. Byrne
Republican
John S. Arrowood
Democrat
Residence
Cary
Education
B.A., English, NC State; J.D., Campbell Law
Occupation
Judge
Employer
NC Office of Administrative Hearings
Date Admitted to Bar
1996
Legal/Judicial Experience
Six years as judge with 400+ decisions. Ten decisions affirmed by Court of Appeals and one by Supreme Court; never reversed by either court. Litigated 20+ cases in NC appeals courts as an attorney as well as appeals briefs for police/ public employee groups. Hundreds of trials including 272 cases in the OAH where I’m now a judge. 30 years combined experience.
Candidate Statement
My judicial philosophy: “A Fair Judge. For Everyone” - and get the law right.
Endorsed by: NC Police Benevolent Assn, NC Fraternal Order of Police, National Assn of Police Organizations.
Residence
Charlotte
Education
Honors Graduate, Hudson High School; B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Catawba College; J.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Occupation
Judge
Employer
N.C. Court of Appeals
Date Admitted to Bar
1982
Legal/Judicial Experience
NC Court of Appeals: Law Clerk, Staff Attorney, Staff Director, Judge. Special Superior Court Judge. Attorney in private practice.
Candidate Statement
No member of or candidate for the Court brings my depth of legal and real-life experiences. I was born in Yancey County and lived there until I was 15 when my parents died just a couple of months apart. I then moved to Caldwell County to live with my brother (a Highway Patrolman) and his family.
Following graduation from UNC-CH, I worked at the Court of Appeals as a law clerk, staff attorney, and staff director. For over 25 years, I was an attorney in private practice doing civil and commercial litigation for individuals and businesses in a wide range of matters. I was also privileged to serve on the NC Banking Commission, the NC Rules Review Commission, the NC Arts Council, and on the NC Railroad board. In Charlotte I have been a trustee of the Mint Museum of Art and on the board of Urban Ministry Center. I am an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
As a Court of Appeals Judge for almost 11 years I have written hundreds of decisions.
I am committed to an independent judiciary that upholds the rule of law. I pledge to render equal justice and to protect your constitutional rights.
Learn more at keepjudgearrowood.com.
NC Court of Appeals Seat 2
George Cooper Bell
Republican
Tobias (Toby) Hampson
Democrat
Residence
Cornelius
Education
Cornell University, B.S., 2000; Regent University School of Law, J.D., 2003
Occupation
NC Superior Court Judge
Employer
State of NC
Date Admitted to Bar
VA and TN, 2004; NC, 2006
Legal/Judicial Experience
Owned a small business with my wife and law school sweetheart, Hannah Bell, and my focus was criminal law. I was elected to the Superior Court bench in Charlotte, NC, in 2018. As a judge, I have presided over 100 felony jury trials, including cases involving first-degree murder, violent crimes, and habitual felon charges.
Candidate Statement
My judicial philosophy is simple: I follow the rule of law and administer justice impartially, without prejudice or bias. I believe that people need to be held accountable for their actions. For example, I have kept our streets safe and sentenced numerous violent criminals to life in prison without parole. This election is very critical. Our cities are under attack and there are takeovers almost every weekend creating serious, dangerous situations. As a judge, I have held criminals accountable. I will continue to administer justice to make sure that our local communities are safe from violent crime. I am proud to keep North Carolina families safe, and I am committed to justice. Vote George Bell for judge and "Ring the Bell for Justice." For more information, please visit https://www.JudgeGeorgeBell.com.
Residence
Raleigh
Education
J.D., Campbell University School of Law, 2002; B.A., American University 1998; NCSSM, 1994.
Occupation
Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals
Employer
State of N.C.
Date Admitted to the Bar
2002
Legal/Judicial Experience
2019-Present: Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals
2007-2018: Attorney, Wyrick, Robbins, Yates & Ponton
2004-2007: Attorney, Patterson, Dilthey, Clay, Bryson & Anderson
2002-2004: Law Clerk, N.C. Court of Appeals
Candidate Statement
It is an honor to serve you as a North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge. I am running for re-election because it is critical we keep Judges with Court of Appeals experience on the bench. I am committed to defending the Rule of Law, upholding your rights, and making sure our judicial system works for the people and not extreme partisan agendas.
On the bench, I have authored hundreds of majority decisions–usually unanimous and often drawing bipartisan support. However, I am also not afraid to dissent when it’s the right thing to do – as I did in Griffin v. N.C. State Bd. of Elections.
Before being elected to the Court in 2018, I focused my career as an attorney representing people and businesses in appeals to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court. I am certified as an appellate practice specialist by the N.C. State Bar.
I grew up mainly in Moore County. I am a proud product of N.C. public schools. My wife, Kristin, and I have three daughters.
Learn more about me, my endorsements, and the campaign at JudgeTobyHampson.com.
NC Court of Appeals Seat 3
Craig Collins
Republican
Christine Marie Walczyk
Democrat
Residence
Gaston County
Education
I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 and Villanova University School of Law in 1997.
Occupation
I am currently a Superior Court Judge.
Employer
I am employed by the State of North Carolina.
Date Admitted to Bar
1997
Legal/Judicial Experience
I was an Assistant District Attorney for 9 years, a private attorney for 9 years, a District Court Judge for 9 years, and I am currently a Superior Court Judge.
Candidate Statement
North Carolina needs experienced judges who will follow the Constitution and not legislate from the bench. It is vital that we have judges who understand the trial division, where cases are heard prior to arrival at the Court of Appeals. I am the only candidate in my race with both District Court and Superior Court judicial experience, and I also have experience as a prosecutor and private attorney. I have handled the exact types of cases heard by the Court of Appeals throughout my career. Our rights are essential, and I have a proven track record of protecting them daily. Furthermore, community safety is essential, and I have spent a career working to protect our community. I would certainly appreciate your vote. You can learn more about my campaign at www.votecraigcollins.com.
Residence
Raleigh
Education
UNC School of Law, Juris Doctor
Boston College, Carroll School of Management, Bachelor of Science, Finance Concentration, magna cum laude
Occupation
District Court Judge
Employer
Administrative Office of the Courts
Date Admitted to Bar
09/08/1995
Legal/Judicial Experience
District Court Judge, 2007-Present
Lead General Civil Court Judge, 2021-Present
Lead Family Court Judge, 2013-2021
Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC, Managing Member, 1995-2007
Candidate Statement
At 19 years, I am among the longest serving trial judges in our state. I practiced law for over a decade before coming to the bench and have a proven record of safeguarding due process and the rule of law. I have spent my career supporting women in the profession, working to level the playing field for self-represented persons, and fighting for judicial independence. Most importantly, I have tried to act every day with integrity, as a judge that the public can trust.
I am focused on protecting the individual liberties enshrined in our Constitution, promoting equal access to justice, and forging a stronger, independent judiciary that serves the people. I hope to bring experience, integrity, and balance to the Court. As the only woman running for the Court of Appeals in 2026, I fully support a more diverse judiciary that better reflects the population.
I am endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (PBA), AFL-CIO of NC, Communications Workers of America NC, Sierra Club NC Chapter, Lillian’s List, Equality NC, Down Home NC, and many former appellate judges who understand what it takes to do this job well.