Minnesota
Minnesota’s highest court is called the Minnesota Supreme Court. The court has six associate justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is chosen in the same manner as the associate justices. (Source: Minnesota Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Minnesota Supreme Court justices are chosen to serve a six-year term through a nonpartisan election, where multiple candidates may vie for the seat. Justices may seek additional terms through nonpartisan elections. When a seat becomes open in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor appoints a candidate to fill the vacancy. The justice holds office until Minnesota’s next general election more than one year after the appointment, unless the remainder of the seat’s term runs out before then. Multiple candidates may vie for a six-year term in a nonpartisan election. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
Minnesota’s first and only constitution was adopted in 1857. As of January 1, 2024, it had 121 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
States Grapple with Problematic Rule from Federal Voting Cases
The Purcell principle, which holds that federal courts should not change voting rules too close to an election, is increasingly being raised in state litigation.
Advice for Law Students From State Supreme Court Justices
As the school year kicks off, eight justices reflect on what they wish someone had told them when they were in law school.
State Accountability for Abuse in Foster Care
Children who suffer sexual, physical, and other abuses while in the state’s custody face significant hurdles when they seek justice.
A Primer on Standing in State Courts
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently clarified the limits of “taxpayer standing” in a case challenging the restoration of voting rights to 60,000 people with felony convictions.
What the Framers Really Thought About Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Debates from state constitutional conventions show delegates expected protections for inalienable rights to have teeth.
States in ‘Lockstep’ with the Fourth Amendment May Not Be Locked
Some states have handcuffed their citizens’ constitutional search and seizure protections to the federal standard — but they still hold the keys to going their own way.
Minnesota Supreme Court Considering Voting Rights Restoration Law
The court appears poised to leave in place the law, which returns the right to vote to as many as 60,000 people.
The State Constitutional Rights to Bear Arms After Rahimi
The U.S. Supreme Court’s holding that the disarmament of a domestic abuser was not unconstitutional could incentivize gun-rights advocates to bring their claims in state court.