Florida

Florida’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Florida. The court has six justices and one chief justice, who is selected by the supreme court justices for a two-year term. (Source: Florida Constitution). 

Judicial Selection

The governor appoints a candidate to the Supreme Court of Florida from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. After at least one year on the court, a justice may stand for a six-year term in an unopposed yes/no retention vote at the time of Florida’s next general election. Justices may stand for additional terms in the same retention process. When a seat on the court opens in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor appoints a judicial candidate from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 75, but a justice who has served one half of their term can complete the rest of the term.

State Constitution

Florida has had six constitutions adopted between 1839 and 1968. As of January 1, 2022, it had 141 amendments. (Source: Council of State Governments)