Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Nonpartisan Judicial Races

Unaffiliated voters who do not ask for a Republican or Democratic Party primary ballot will receive a ballot with only two choices: the nonpartisan Court of Appeals judicial races.

The N.C. Court of Appeals hears appeals of all kinds of decisions of the state Superior and District Courts, from divorce and family cases to business it tax cases. The Court of Appeals also hears appeals from state administrative agencies.

The Court of Appeals has no juries. The 15 judges sit in rotating panels of three. If a vote is 2-1, the losing party has an automatic right to appeal the decision to the N.C. Supreme Court.

Two Court of Appeals seats have primaries. Candidates for these seats have the option of participating in public financing of their campaigns if they meet the requirements.

In addition, the N.C. State Board of Elections has produced a voters’ guide that includes biographical information about each candidate, along with his/her personal statement. Every voter household should have received a copy of the guide. If you did not, you can access it online by clicking to www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=29.

Some of the candidates have posted their own election websites as well as noted below.

Court of Appeals (Wynn Seat)

Of the three candidates for this seat, only the incumbent, according to information at the State Board of Elections website, has filed his intent to participate in the NC Public Campaign Fund.

• Jewel Ann Farlow
• Dean R. Poirier—www.poirier4justice.com
• James A. (Jim) Wynn—incumbent—www.judgewynn.com

Court of Appeals (Tyson Seat)

Of the four candidates for this seat, only Kristin Ruth, according to information at the State Board of Elections website, has filed her intent to participate in the NC Public Campaign Fund.

• Sam J. Ervin, IV
• Janet Pueschel
• Kristin Ruth—www.judgeruth.com
• John M. Tyson—incumbent—judgejohntyson.com