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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ICE’s New Courthouse Arrest Policy Set Them on a Collision Course with State Courts
The arrest of a Wisconsin judge comes after ICE walked back policies designed to ensure communities wouldn’t be afraid to access courts
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Spells a Win for Abortion Rights
The new justice, who previously represented Planned Parenthood, joins the bench as the court is set to decide two major abortion cases.
North Carolina Could Be on the Verge of a Constitutional Crisis
If the courts hand a victory to the state’s losing supreme court candidate, citizens across the political spectrum could perceive the court as unfair — and the justices risk losing their legitimacy.
In North Carolina, an Attempt to Overturn a Supreme Court Election
The losing candidate for a seat on the high court is trying to have more than 60,000 valid votes thrown out.
The Montana Legislature’s Partisan Attack on Judicial Independence
Dissatisfied with recent court decisions, the state legislature moves to change how judges are elected.
North Carolina’s Constitution of Contrasts
The state’s 55-year-old constitution offers progressive protections like a right to education while retaining elements of state-sponsored efforts to prevent Black progress in the post-Reconstruction era.
Louisiana Voters Considering Constitutional Changes that Expand Legislative Power
This week’s ballot asks voters to overhaul the state tax code, give lawmakers more power over creation of courts and juveniles’ punishments, and more.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in April
Issues on the dockets include parental rights under now-defunct same-sex marriage bans, New York City’s emissions caps for big buildings, and more.