Judicial Selection and Administration
How judges are selected and how the judiciary operates can impact the role and effectiveness of state courts. Processes for judicial selection may vary depending on both the level of court (trial, intermediate appellate, high court) and the type of vacancy being filled (interim vacancies or vacancies that open at the end of a judge’s term). The most common methods of state judicial selection are merit selection, which involves vetting of candidates by a nominating commission coupled with a retention election, nonpartisan elections, partisan elections, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative appointment. For a breakdown of each state’s judicial selection process, see this interactive map.
Judicial administration refers to the management of the court system, including judicial ethics, security systems, and access to court documents.
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A Conversation with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch
Justice Elizabeth Welch was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2020 and took the bench in January 2021. In her interview, Welch discusses the challenges of artificial intelligence, Michigan’s protection of natural resources, and the potential value in career disappointments.
The Untold Story of 150 Years of Women in State Judiciaries
A focus on the U.S. Constitution and federal judges has obscured a longer and more complex history of women serving on state benches — and how state constitutions mattered in their rise.
What We're Watching in the 2026 Elections
State Court Report’s new Election 2026 hub provides coverage of major legal and judicial developments shaping this election cycle.
State Supreme Court Races to Watch in 2026
More than thirty states will hold elections for supreme court seats this year, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Montana where court decisions have been political flashpoints.
A Conversation with Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Melissa Long
Justice Melissa Long was appointed to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 2021, becoming the state’s first Black high court justice. She was previously an associate justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court. In her interview, Long discusses how state courts can engage with the public, shore up trust in democratic institutions, and search for innovative solutions.
The Next Wave of Legislative Assaults on State Courts
Utah’s rush to add seats to its supreme court signals a major escalation in legislative tactics to curb judicial independence.
A Conversation with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet
Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2018. Prior to joining the court, she spent a decade serving as a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. In her interview, Dallet discussed equal access to justice, challenges to the rule of law, and her commitment to getting the law right.
Who’s Hiring State Supreme Court Clerks?
State-by-state information to aid law students and young attorneys in securing a state clerkship.