Vermont

Vermont’s highest court is the Vermont Supreme Court. The court has four associate justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is chosen according to the same procedures as the associate justices. (Source: Vermont Constitution) 

Judicial Selection

The governor nominates Vermont Supreme Court justices from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed justice serves a six-year term. Justices may seek additional terms, in which a case a vote of the general assembly is held and the justice is retained unless a majority of the votes are against retention. To fill an interim vacancy, the governor nominates a candidate from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed justice serves a six-year term. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 90. 

State Constitution

Vermont has had three state constitutions adopted between 1777 and 1793. As of January 1, 2024, it had 56 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)