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, 2024, it had 141 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024).
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Where Abortion Rights Could Be on the Ballot in 2024
As many as 14 states could have abortion-related constitutional amendments on the ballot this year.
What’s Next for Marijuana Legalization in Florida
Even if Florida voters pass an initiative allowing recreational marijuana, lawmakers may try to limit the right.
Georgia Courts to Consider Legislative Oversight of Prosecutorial Discretion — Again
District attorneys in Georgia are challenging a statute that allows elected prosecutors to be disciplined and removed for their prosecutorial decisions and speech.
State Courts Diverge In Latest Wave of Abortion Litigation
Decisions in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Pennsylvania highlight stark contrasts in how courts approach reproductive rights.
The Arizona High Court Upheld A 160-Year-Old Abortion Ban. Now What?
Abortion law expert David Cohen talks about Arizona’s ongoing abortion litigation, a possible abortion amendment in the state, and the biggest threats to abortion rights nationwide.
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.
Florida Supreme Court Allows Abortion Ban, but Final Decision Will Go to Voters
The decision means that a 6-week ban will go into effect next month, but a proposed amendment protecting abortion will be on the Florida ballot in November.
Does Tennessee’s School Choice Program Violate the State Constitution’s Public Education Guarantee?
An education choice advocate argues that it does not — and points out that state high courts have consistently rejected arguments that such programs undermine public education.