Crucial Conversation – North Carolina’s independent judiciary: Will it survive the current partisan battle?
There is an unprecedented war underway over the future of the North Carolina’s judiciary. For some time now, conservative supermajorities in the General Assembly have been advancing legislative proposals to dramatically remake the state courts in a number of fundamental ways.
Lawmakers have shrunk the Court of Appeals in order to prevent Governor Cooper from appointing new judges, adjusted the duties of the judges remaining, as well as those of the Supreme Court, made all judicial races partisan, and, most recently, simply cancelled all judicial primaries in 2018.
Other proposals would go further still – including expanding the size of the Supreme Court, dramatically altering (some would say “gerrymandering”) the districts in which judges stand for election, forcing all judges to run every two years, and even ending the election of judges altogether.
So where do things stand? What’s next? How far can we expect legislative leaders to push? What should caring and thinking people say and do?
Join us as we tackle these question and others with an extremely knowledgeable panel of experts:
Donald Stephens, recently retired judge of the 10th Judicial District of the Third Division of the Superior Court, serving Wake County.
Marcia Morey, a state representative from Durham County and former District Court Judge of the 14th Judicial District.
Joe John, a state representative from Wake County and former state Court of Appeals and Superior Court judge.
**Co-sponsored by N.C. Voters for Clean Elections**
Don’t miss this important and timely event!
When: Wednesday, November 15 at noon — Box lunches will be available at 11:45 a.m.
Where: Center for Community Leadership Training Room at the Junior League of Raleigh Building, 711 Hillsborough St. (At the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets)
Space is limited – preregistration required.
Cost: $15, admission includes a box lunch. Scholarships available.
Questions?? Contact Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or rob@ncpolicywatch.com