North Carolina passed a full public financing system for judicial candidates in 2002, then expanded the law last year to certain statewide (Council of State) offices.  Having statewide elected officers run using public funds is a nice idea in a vacuum, but the big question is, will candidates choose that option?

In fact, we'd already heard the answer: yes.  In the past two cycles, 2004 and 2006, 20 out of 28 judicial candidates in NC ran with public funds.  Now, we're hearing it again: they want in.  The coalition announced that an "overwhelming majority" of eligible North Carolina candidates will indeed use the system this cycle; a quick look over the list and a brushing off of my old math skills (in this case, addition) shows that 22 out of the 27 have filed to use public funds in 2008.  More than 80%.

Voters like it, candidates like it.  It's common sense.