Incumbent Democrat Anita Earls maintains a consistent polling lead over Republican challenger Sarah Stevens in the November 3, 2026, contest for the North Carolina Supreme Court associate justice seat. Recent surveys, including a late October Carolina Journal poll showing Earls ahead 47% to 40%, reflect her advantages in name recognition as the sitting justice and a substantial fundraising edge exceeding $3.5 million compared to Stevens’ under $260,000. Stevens, a former state representative who resigned to run, has conducted a low-visibility campaign with limited advertising and public events. These factors have shaped trader consensus around the two-candidate partisan race, with the outcome unlikely to alter the court’s current 5-2 Republican majority but relevant to positioning ahead of 2028 contests. Early voting is already underway.