NC · Officeholder
DState Representative · District 39
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: North Carolina House District 39
James Roberson is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who has represented District 39 since January 2021 and is seeking re-election on November 3, 2026.[1] He is an education administrator and a former mayor of Knightdale.[1]
James Roberson served as mayor of Knightdale until 2021.[1] On January 9, 2021, Wake County Democrats nominated him to replace Representative Darren Jackson, and Governor Roy Cooper appointed him on January 11, effective January 13, 2021.[1]
In the 2023-2024 session, Roberson was assigned to the Appropriations, Appropriations on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, Education - Community Colleges, Insurance, Local Government, and Pensions and Retirement committees, among others.[1] The Democratic primary for his seat on March 3, 2026, was canceled.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
James Roberson is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina House District 39 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Regulatory Reform Act of 2025.
On the version voted Sep 23, 2025: Changes dozens of state regulations, including barring local street paving standards stricter than the state's, limiting local rules on displaying American flags on private property, easing wastewater and stormwater permitting, and expanding where restaurants and food businesses may use liquor for cooking.
Jun 24, 2025 · Failed 49–61 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
May 21, 2025 · Failed 49–57 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Prot. Act.
On the version voted Jun 30, 2026: Requires cryptocurrency kiosk operators to be licensed and supervised by the state banking commissioner, caps daily transactions at $2,000 for new and $5,000 for existing customers, limits fees to 12%, and requires fraud warnings and refunds for some scam victims.
Jun 9, 2026 · Failed 50–64 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bars state agencies from DEI programs in hiring, staffing or training, and bars state and local governments from using public money for DEI. Sets State Auditor compliance audits, removal of violating employees, civil penalties and lawsuits.
Jun 26, 2025 · Passed 60–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
North Carolina Border Protection Act.
On the version voted Jun 24, 2026: Requires state public safety, prison, Highway Patrol and SBI leaders to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, ends state benefits and housing aid for noncitizens lacking legal status where federal law allows, and waives tort immunity for cities and counties with sanctuary ordinances when an unauthorized immigrant commits a crime there.
Jun 4, 2025 · Passed 60–46 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Lets U.S. citizens 18 or older who are not otherwise prohibited carry a concealed handgun without a permit, raises line-of-duty death payments to $150,000, and increases penalties for firearm assaults on law enforcement and other first responders.
Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 59–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.
Requires public schools to adopt library policies under which community advisory committees review books for quality and age-appropriateness, requires removal of material that fails the criteria, including depictions of sexual activity, and lets parents or county residents sue over violations.
Apr 16, 2025 · Failed 49–57 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Higher Educ
Bars UNC campuses and community colleges from endorsing or compelling belief in listed "divisive concepts," from discriminatory practices, and from keeping diversity, equity and inclusion offices; requires their governing boards to adopt policies implementing these rules.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 64–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Education.
Bars public school units from teaching or requiring affirmation of listed "divisive concepts" (such as one race or sex being inherently superior), from discriminatory practices, and from keeping diversity, equity and inclusion offices; requires annual compliance certification.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 67–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Sets timelines and procedures for state review of Clean Water Act 401 water quality certifications, creates permitting rules for upland basin marinas, and excludes certain man-made ditches from the Coastal Area Management Act.
Jun 24, 2025 · Passed 66–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Removes the interim carbon reduction target for electric utilities, allows alternative recovery of financing costs for baseload plants under construction, changes fuel-cost and performance-based ratemaking rules, and authorizes securitization of coal plant retirement costs.
Jul 29, 2025 · Passed 74–46 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Regional Water Study/Interbasin Transfer Subbasin/Total Maximum Daily Load.
Directs a UNC study of water and wastewater regionalization; folds the Haw River, Deep River and Contentnea Creek subbasins into the Cape Fear and Neuse basins, ending interbasin transfer certificates between them; and extends a 2020 nutrient offset rule to all Neuse local governments.
Jun 26, 2025 · Passed 66–42 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law.
Orders the Division of Health Benefits to disenroll Planned Parenthood and associated entities as Medicaid providers, end their Medicaid contracts, and engage other providers for services they provided.
Oct 22, 2025 · Passed 61–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Requires the State Health Director to issue a standing order by October 1, 2025, letting pharmacists dispense human-use ivermectin without a prescription, with civil and criminal liability immunity for the director and pharmacists.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 66–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Baby Boxes/Newborn Safety Device.
Lets 24-hour-staffed fire, rescue and emergency department buildings install temperature-controlled newborn safety devices where a parent can leave an infant up to 30 days old, with alarms, signage and annual state inspection.
May 1, 2025 · Passed 75–33 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Grant Anticipation Notes.
Lets local governments borrow money to speed up regional and division transportation projects scheduled for state funding, repaying it from expected state or federal money, after signing an agreement with the Department of Transportation.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 100–11 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions.
Requires pharmacy benefit managers to pay pharmacies at least federal benchmark drug costs, bars them from charging pharmacies various fees or stopping pharmacists from mentioning cheaper drugs, limits pharmacy audits, and requires quarterly reports on drug costs and manufacturer price concessions.
Apr 29, 2025 · Passed 106–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Expand Remote Drivers License Services.
Jul 30, 2025 · Passed 109–7 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Unauthorized Public Camping & Sleeping.
Bars cities and counties from allowing regular public camping or sleeping on public property, except on sites a governing board designates by majority vote for up to one year and the state health department certifies, with safety, sanitation and behavioral-health standards.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 69–42 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Liability/Unfair/Deceptive Development Actions.
Lets courts award attorneys' fees to people who win civil actions against local governments over development approvals, requires fees for intentional violations or delay, and requires punitive damages up to 10 times damages for flagrantly unfair or deceptive conduct meant to prompt a suit.
May 1, 2025 · Passed 67–39 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.
Creates felonies for selling drugs in posted drug-free zones around homeless service facilities, and bars local governments from allowing regular camping or sleeping on public property except at sites they designate for up to a year with Labor Department certification.
Jun 30, 2026 · Passed 73–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Requires wireless carriers to give police a phone's location when it was used to call 911 or is believed to be with someone at risk of death or serious harm, shields carriers from lawsuits for doing so, and requires them to file emergency contacts with the SBI.
Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 103–8 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
General Statutes Commission Electronic Signatures.
Clarifies that business contracts with reciprocal attorneys' fee provisions may be signed by hand or electronically, and that notary applicants must sign initial applications in pen and ink while the Secretary of State may accept other signatures electronically.
Feb 26, 2025 · Passed 114–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Protecting Students in a Digital Age.
Requires school boards to adopt internet policies blocking student social media and TikTok on school devices, adds required lessons on social media's health effects, and requires schools to bar student phone use during instructional time, with exceptions.
Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 106–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
NC Farmland and Military Protection Act.
On the version voted Jun 23, 2026: Bars foreign parties tied to adversarial governments from acquiring or holding interests in agricultural land or land within 50 miles of a military installation. Holdings before April 1, 2027 may continue but must be registered; later acquisitions must be sold within one year.
Jun 30, 2026 · Passed 111–2 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 14 of 240 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (5), Rights & public safety (4), Education & families (1)
2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.
What it does: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provi…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–28, Republicans 61–0
Aug 5, 2026Official record ↗
Adjournment Resolution.
What it does: On the version voted Jul 28, 2026: Adjourns the 2025 General Assembly session in stages, reconvening August 31, September 28, October 26, November 16 and November 30, 2026, each limited to veto overrides, appointments…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–28, Republicans 60–0
Aug 5, 2026Official record ↗
2026 Budget Technical Corrections.
What it does: Makes technical and clarifying changes to the 2026 budget act and other acts, including Hurricane Helene fund transfers, school facility funding cross references, and the principal salary schedule.
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 19–20, Republicans 63–1
Jul 2, 2026Official record ↗
Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act.
What it does: Creates voluntary portable benefit accounts owned by independent contractors, which hiring parties, including app-based companies, may fund if the worker opts in. Contributions are not treated as evidence that the wor…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 12–33, Republicans 65–0
Jun 30, 2026Official record ↗
Various Local Election Changes III.
What it does: On the version voted Jun 16, 2026: Moves municipal elections to even-numbered years for all municipalities in Catawba and McDowell Counties and several towns starting in 2028, and New Bern in 2030. Also extends some t…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 11–34, Republicans 65–0
Jun 23, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
With most of their party · Passed 60–48 · Yes 60–No 48 · Democrats 0–46, Republicans 60–0
Jun 26, 2025Official record ↗
Town of Maggie Valley/Deannexations.
With most of their party · Passed 56–50 · Yes 56–No 50 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 56–4
Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗
Regulatory Reform Act of 2025.
With most of their party · Failed 49–61 · Yes 49–No 61 · Democrats 47–0, Republicans 1–61
Jun 24, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 49–57 · Yes 49–No 57 · Democrats 44–0, Republicans 3–57
May 21, 2025Official record ↗
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.
With most of their party · Failed 49–57 · Yes 49–No 57 · Democrats 44–0, Republicans 3–57
Apr 16, 2025Official record ↗
Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law.
With most of their party · Passed 61–47 · Yes 61–No 47 · Democrats 0–46, Republicans 61–0
Oct 22, 2025Official record ↗
North Carolina Border Protection Act.
With most of their party · Passed 60–46 · Yes 60–No 46 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 60–0
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 59–48 · Yes 59–No 48 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 59–2
Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l M11 Concur
Removes the satellite annexation cap for Bear Grass, writes the Currituck County Game Commission's waterfowl blind rules into law with online applications and flexible fees, and requires ward-based primaries in Hickory when more than two candidates file for a ward.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Changes court laws, including when juvenile records may be disclosed, giving any attorney of record access to the trial file in indigent appeals, assigning superior court judges to districts with a county over 1 million people, and Judicial Standards Commission definitions.
Motion: Second Reading
On the version voted Jul 28, 2026: Adjourns the 2025 General Assembly session in stages, reconvening August 31, September 28, October 26, November 16 and November 30, 2026, each limited to veto overrides, appointments, election laws and certain other matters, then adjourns sine die December 18, 2026.
Motion: R2 Ruled Mat'l M11 Concur
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Removes the satellite annexation cap for Bear Grass, writes the Currituck County Game Commission's waterfowl blind rules into law with online applications and flexible fees, and requires ward-based primaries in Hickory when more than two candidates file for a ward.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
Adds parts of Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and Stones Bay to Jacksonville's city limits, limits city police powers and annexation north of N.C. Highway 24, and ends the city's zoning authority outside its limits.
Motion: R2 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Adjusts the 2026 budget act: redirects several directed grants, moves authorization of the America's Semiquincentennial license plate into GS 20-63, delays an insurance regulatory charge change to 2027, and appropriates $225,000 for State Fire Marshal and $300,000 for Labor Department positions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Makes dozens of regulatory changes, including de novo review of rule interpretation by administrative law judges and courts, higher penalties for water theft and littering, limits on local glazing requirements, and new rules on accessory dwelling units and mining permits.
Motion: Third Reading
Creates a process for cities and towns to remove land from their limits, either on their own initiative after a report and public hearing or on a petition signed by all owners, with consent required from any local government taking over services.
Showing 10 of 502 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.