You might expect that the 2020 N.C. Supreme Court elections will guarantee plenty of 4-3 rulings in the year ahead. The high court’s four Democrats could line up against its three Republicans, including the two newest members.
But a look back at recent court history suggests that it’s wise to look beyond party labels. Party-line splits proved rare the last time Democrats held a 4-3 advantage.
Before delving into the past, let’s set the stage for the newly reconfigured court that begins hearing cases this month.
Entering the 2020 election, Democrats outnumbered Republicans, 6-1, on the state Supreme Court. Three seats were up for grabs in November, including the chief justice’s post. For the first time in almost two decades, Democratic and Republican candidates competed in one-on-one matchups with party labels linked to their names.