Arizona
Arizona’s highest court is the Arizona Supreme Court. The court consists of five justices, one vice chief justice, and one chief justice. The chief justice and vice chief justice are selected by a majority of the court. The chief justice serves a five-year term and the vice chief justice’s term is determined by the court. (Source: Arizona Supreme Court)
Judicial Selection
The governor appoints Arizona Supreme Court justices from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. After at least two years on the court, the justice can stand for a six-year term in an unopposed yes/no retention vote in Arizona’s next general election. Justices can stand for additional terms through retention elections. The governor fills interim vacancies from a list provided by the judicial nominating commission. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
Arizona’s first and only constitution was adopted in 1911. As of January 1, 2024, it had 160 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
Will Voters Have the Final Say on Abortion Rights in Florida?
Lawmakers could undermine reproductive rights even if voters enshrine abortion protections into the state constitution.
State Courts Can and Should Do More to Protect Voters
State constitutional clauses collectively elevate the status of voters as a group, giving state courts a strong reason to use a separation of powers analogy against efforts to curtail voting rights.
Arizona Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Territorial-Era Abortion Ban
The state is trying to reinstate a law that was enacted when women could not vote.
The Constitutional Right to Food
Maine’s protections could be used as a stealth vehicle to thwart gun restrictions.
The Sorry State of Disclosure for State Supreme Court Justices
A new study reveals that disclosures by state supreme court justices are frequently hard to access and lack relevant financial information.
Are Forced Condo Sales 'Takings' Under the Arizona Constitution?
The state high court is set to rule in a dispute between homeowners and an investment firm.
Arizona Ballot Measure Would Make It Harder to Amend State Constitution
Procedural changes to the amendment process — like one proposed in Arizona — could have high stakes for democracy.
Interpretive Methods in State Constitutional Law
Transcript of panel from Symposium: The Promise and Limits of State Constitutions