Incumbent Democratic Justice Anita Earls holds a clear lead in the November 3, 2026, contest for the North Carolina Supreme Court associate justice seat, reflecting her strong polling margins in recent surveys and substantial fundraising advantage. Earls, a former civil rights attorney first elected in 2018, benefits from name recognition and organizational support in a race that will not immediately alter the court's 5-2 Republican majority but could influence Democratic prospects for a majority in 2028. Republican challenger Sarah Stevens, a longtime state representative who resigned her House seat to campaign, trails amid limited public visibility, minimal television advertising, and far lower cash reserves. Recent polls have shown Earls ahead by single or low double digits, with the gap widening in some samplings conducted in September. The outcome hinges on voter turnout patterns and the effectiveness of late-stage messaging on judicial philosophy and election-related issues.