The additional Arizona justices was reported to have a $1 million cost annually, and came despite objections from Chief Justice Scott Bales, who said additional judges are not needed and expansion “is not warranted when other court-related needs are underfunded.”

Reps. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and Verla Insko, D-Orange, and Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, said they have not heard of a push to expand the state Supreme Court.

According to officials with the N.C. Courts system, the state constitution calls for a chief justice and six associate justices, but the constitution allows the General Assembly to expand the court by up to two additional associate justices.

It is not clear how the nomination process would work for the potential two new court seats, whether it’s the responsibility of the legislature or the governor.

Each justice serves an eight-year term unless they turn age 72 during their term, in which they are required to retire from the court.

Edmunds, 67, would have turned 72 during his term had he been elected.