A judge is ordering North Carolina election officials not to finalize ballots while she receives more information about lawsuits filed by two judicial candidates fighting a new law that would leave off their new political affiliations.

Wake County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt didn’t rule specifically Monday whether Supreme Court candidate Chris Anglin and District Court hopeful Rebecca Edwards would have their party labels on the ballots, like their opponents. Holt asked lawyers for the candidates and for state officials the candidates sued earlier Monday to file briefs and prepare for an Aug. 13 hearing.

The General Assembly finalized a bill over the weekend that says a judicial candidate’s party won’t be on the ballot if the person changed parties less than 90 days before filing.

State election officials have said the deadline for language for statewide ballot items is this week. It’s unclear what a delay would mean.

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