A two-sentence order from a federal judge means North Carolina will not reinstate primary elections for 2018 judicial races. The order arrives less than a day after candidates started filing for judicial offices across the state.
“In view of the opening of the filing period, the Court advises the parties that it will rule for the defendants and will dismiss the case with prejudice,” U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Eagles wrote in her order. “An order with findings of fact and conclusions of law will be entered early next week.”
Plaintiffs from the N.C. Democratic Party had sued the defendants, leaders of the Republican-led General Assembly. Democrats argued that a state law throwing out judicial primary elections this year violated the party’s constitutional right to assemble and select the candidates of its choice.