North Carolinians have created an opportunity for new policy priorities. Now it’s up to the people they elected to deliver.

North Carolinians made their demands known at the ballot box, changing the balance of power at the NC General Assembly and breaking the legislative supermajority.

A movement powered by people

As was seen across the nation, this shift didn’t come from powerful institutions. Over the past two years, universities, major law firms, and corporate leaders largely bowed to rising authoritarianism. The people didn’t.

For sixteen years, the North Carolina General Assembly has pushed aggressive policies that make life harder for families and communities across North Carolina. Now we have an opening to move beyond playing defense and toward an affirmative vision for our state’s future through our People-First Agenda. The opportunity is here. Now lawmakers must deliver.

Making affordability a priority

Making life more affordable must be at the center of that work. We’ll push for higher wages, because that is the single most important thing that you can do to help any family with making ends meet. Our policy experts also have proposals that could lower costs for essentials like housing, health care, and utilities; create stronger consumer protections; and strengthen public benefits that meet people’s needs.

The North Carolina Justice Center is addressing the real economic pressures families face—not scapegoating immigrants or advancing policies that do nothing to make life more affordable.

Setbacks we won’t ignore

This election also brought setbacks. While shifting the balance of power at the legislature is an important step, the passage of all three constitutional amendments is a serious concern. These amendments permanently restrict the revenue state and local governments can raise, benefiting the ultra-wealthy and corporations while leaving working families with minimal savings and the potential for higher fees and fewer services.

The North Carolina Justice Center and our allies will continue to advocate for tax policy that protects working people, raises revenue from corporations and wealth, and ensures we adequately fund our public needs.

An opportunity beyond North Carolina

The election’s impact extends beyond our state. North Carolina voters have also rejected cynical gerrymandering, picked up congressional seats, and moved our state closer to fair representation in Congress. The shift in congressional power also creates an opportunity to repeal harmful provisions of H.R. 1, the “Big Bad Bill,” and reverse federal policies that have made life harder for hardworking families.

The North Carolina Justice Center calls on the North Carolina General Assembly to enact non-partisan redistricting legislation. And we call on the United States Congress to enact universal, affordable health care.

The work ahead

There’s still more work to do. Two special sessions in November and December leave time for NC lawmakers to push through additional harmful measures before the year is over. We’ll be watching closely.

At the North Carolina Justice Center, we’re ready to meet this moment. Tomorrow, we are convening more than thirty of North Carolina’s progressive advocacy organizations to work on building strategic alignment heading into 2027’s legislative session.

We’ll also work alongside grassroots communities and partners to advance bold, people-first policies that make life more affordable and secure for North Carolinians. This election created an opening for change. We’ll keep pushing to make sure that opportunity delivers real results in people’s lives.