Maryland
Maryland’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Maryland. The court has six associate justices and one chief justice, who is designated by the governor. (Source: Maryland Manual)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates justices to the Supreme Court of Maryland. The governor receives a list of candidates from the judicial nominating commission but is not required to select a candidate from the list. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. After at least one year on the court, the justice may stand for a 10-year term in an unopposed yes/no retention vote at the time of Maryland’s next general election. Justices may stand for additional terms in the same retention process. To fill an interim vacancy, the governor appoints a candidate from a list provided by the judicial nominating commission, but the governor is not required to select a candidate from the list. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
Maryland has had four constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1867. As of January 1, 2024, it had 239 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
Victims’ Rights Meet State Constitutions
The Maryland Supreme Court is considering appeals in the murder case of Adnan Syed, made famous by the “Serial” podcast.
Maryland Supreme Court Weighs Victims’ Rights in High-Profile Murder Case
Adnan Syed’s appeal raises questions about the scope of Maryland’s protections for victims’ rights.
Status of Partisan Gerrymandering Litigation in State Courts: A Mid-Year Roundup
Ahead of 2024, voters have increasingly turned to state courts to challenge gerrymandered districts.
Utah Supreme Court to Hear Gerrymandering Challenge
State courts in Utah are the latest to consider whether partisan gerrymandering gives rise to an actionable claim under state law.
Washington Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds the State’s Voting Rights Act
The high court forcefully rejected a constitutional challenge to state law protections against discrimination in local elections.
North Carolina Supreme Court Unleashes Partisan Gerrymandering
The court also upheld voter ID and felony disenfranchisement.
The Racist History of State Constitutions Taking Voting Rights from People Convicted of Crimes
Two court decisions raise questions about whether modifying discriminatory provisions can wash away their dubious histories.
Alaska Supreme Court Strikes Down Gerrymandered Districts
A landmark decision firmly establishes that partisan gerrymandering violates the Alaska Constitution.