The Ballot Brief
Buncombe County, North Carolina

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2

One candidate is tracked for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Julie M. Kepple. Candidate information follows official Buncombe County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Julie M. Kepple (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Julie M. Kepple, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

North Carolina › Buncombe County › North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2

Julie M. Kepple

Democratic Incumbent

Biography

Julie M. Kepple currently serves as a District Court Judge for Buncombe County, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch directory. Kepple and a group of stakeholders created ASPIRE court in 2014, a treatment court program recognized for its high success rate among participants, per the Buncombe County Bar. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Next on your ballotNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 3

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Questions about this race

Who is running for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Julie M. Kepple. Candidate information follows official Buncombe County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2 election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Buncombe County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Buncombe County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Buncombe County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Buncombe County ballot

17 tracked races in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 4North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 5Buncombe County District AttorneySee all 17 Buncombe County races
Candidate profiles
Julie M. Kepple, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office