On September 29, the North Carolina legislature passed HB 8, which says candidate for appeals court judge may have their party membership listed on the ballot if they wish. Under current law, the elections are completely non-partisan, with no party nominations and no party labels. The bill does not apply to elections for State Supreme Court Justice, nor to Superior Court judicial races.

The legislature has now adjourned, although it will come back in October in case it wishes to override any possible gubernatorial vetoes.