Selection of Judges for Initial Term
Partisan Election (AL, IL, LA, NH**, NM, PA,
TX, WV)
Nonpartisan Election (AR, GA, ID, KY, MN,
MS, MT, NV, NC, ND, OR, WA, WI)
Gubernatorial appointment from
nomination commission (AK, AZ, CO, FL, IN,
IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, SD, TN, WY)
10%
4%
4%
Gubernatorial nomination from judicial
selection committee; legislative
appointment (CT)
16%
Gubernatorial appointment from judicial
nominating committee with senate consent
(DE, HI, NJ, NY)
4%
8%
26%
2%
26%
Legislative election (SC, VA)
Gubernatorial appointment with Senate
confirmation/senate and house
confirmation (ME, MD, RI, UT, VT)
Gubernatorial appointment with approval
of a counsel/judicial commission (CA, MA )
Partisan nomination/primary, nonpartisan
election (MI*, OH)
*MI only has partisan nomination for the Supreme Court, the court of appeals applies only nonpartisan election
**NH Governor fills all vacancies from a list of judges from nominating committee. Appointee must compete in
partisan election at the next general election to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term
Method of Retention of Judges
Partisan reelection (AL, LA, TX,
WV )
2%
2%
8%
4%
2%
6%
Nonpartisan Reelection (AR, GA ,
ID, KY, MI**, MN, MS, MT, NV, NC,
ND, OH*, OR, WA, WI)
8%
Retention election (AK, AZ, CA, CO,
FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MO, NE, NM,
OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, WY)
30%
Governor renominates; legislature
reappoints (CT)
Nominating commission retains
(HI)
Gubernatorial reappointment
with senate confirmation/consent
(DE, ME, NJ, NY)
38%
Legislative reelection (SC, VA)
Vote of general assembly (VT)
Lifetime appointment (MA, NH,
RI)
*OH has partisan primary elections and then nonpartisan reelection
**MI uses partisan nomination and nonpartisan election
Interim Vacancy Selection Method
Gubernatorial appointment (AL, AR,
MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, OH, OR, WA, WI)
Gubernatorial appointment from
nomination commission (AK, AZ, CO,
FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, NE, NV, NM,
ND, OK, SD, TN, VT, WV, WY)
2%
2%
2%
4% 2%
Gubernatorial appointment with
confirmation from judicial
commission(CA)
22%
Gubernatorial appointment with
senate consent/ confirmation (DE,
HI, ME, MD, MT, NJ, NY, PA*, RI**, TX,
UT)
22%
2%
2%
Gubernatorial nomination from
judicial committee, legislature
appointmet (CT)
Gubernatorial appointment with
approval of governor's counsel (MA)
40%
gubernatorial nomination from
selection commission
recommendation; appointment by
the executive council (NH)
Supreme Court appointment (IL)
Legislative election (SC, VA)
Special election (LA)
*PA requires 2/3 approval of the senate
**RI requires approval of both house and senate