Judicial Elections Guide 2008
All too often people cast their votes for judges without knowing very much about the candidates they are voting for. But with important issues coming before state courts on a regular basis, it's imperative that you use the voice granted to you by our democracy to elect a fair and impartial candidate.
And remember, you should never vote for a judicial candidate solely because you agree or disagree with one decision. Take time to learn as much as you can about the candidate as a whole.
How can you learn more about these judicial candidates?
- Find out which judicial candidates are on the ballot by clicking the “Election Information” buttons to the official government websites below
- Visit a candidate’s official website or request candidate-sponsored campaign literature
- Conduct your own research by using Internet search engines, such as Google or MSN
- Read newspapers, other media articles or editorials and blogs
- Consult state and local bar associations
- Contact civic leagues and other organizations that may publish guides about candidates
- Learn more about the candidates through state and local interest groups who focus on issues you care about most
Visit Lambda Legal's Fair Courts Project
Alabama
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan
Incumbent
Harold See, Jr.
(Not running)
Arkansas
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Incumbent
(Election over.)
Challenger(s)
California
Type of Election
Retention
Incumbent
(No high court retention elections this November.)
Challenger(s)
Connecticut
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Delaware
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Georgia
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Alabama Election Information
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Hawaii
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Idaho
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Incumbent
(Election over.)
Challenger(s)
Illinois
Type of Election
Alabama Election Information
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
Leonard Brashear
- No Website Found (as of 10/08/08)
Louisiana
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan
Incumbent
Challenger(s)
Greg G. Guidry
Jimmy Kuhn
Maine
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Maryland
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Massachusetts
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Michigan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Minnesota
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Mississippi
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Montana
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Alabama Election Information
Incumbent
Karla Gray
(Not running)
Nevada
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Incumbent
William Maupin
(Not running)
Challenger(s)
Deborah Shumacher
Mary "Kris" Pickering
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
New Jersey
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
New Hampshire
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
New Mexico
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan and Retention
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan and Retention
Challenger(s)
New York
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
North Carolina
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
North Dakota
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Ohio
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Oregon
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
No Challengers
Pennsylvania
Type of Election
Retention
Incumbent
(No high court retention elections this November.)
Challenger(s)
Rhode Island
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
South Carolina
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
South Dakota
Type of Election
Retention
Incumbent
(No high court retention elections this November.)
Challenger(s)
Tennessee
Type of Election
Retention
Incumbent
(No high court retention elections this November.)
Challenger(s)
Texas
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan
Challenger(s)
Jim Jordon
Tom Oxford
- No Website Found (as of 10/09/08)
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan
Challenger(s)
Linda Reyna Yanez
Drew Shirley
- No Website Found (as of 10/09/08)
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan
Utah
Type of Election
Retention
Incumbent
(No high court retention elections this November.)
Challenger(s)
Vermont
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Virginia
Type of Election
Appointment
Incumbent
(No high court elections.)
Challenger(s)
Washington
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Challenger(s)
West Virginia
Type of Election
Voter Election - Partisan (2 seats open)
Incumbent
Larry Starcher
(Not running)
Challenger(s)
Menis Ketchum
Margaret Workman
Beth Walker
Wisconsin
Type of Election
Voter Election - Nonpartisan
Incumbent
(Election over.)
Challenger(s)
Definitions
- Voter Election - Partisan
- An election in which multiple candidates may seek the same judicial position. Voters cast ballots for judicial candidates as they do for other public officials. A partisan election is one in which candidates run for a judicial position with the official endorsement of a political party. The candidate’s party affiliation is listed on the ballot.
- Voter Election - Nonpartisan
- An election in which multiple candidates may seek the same judicial position. Voters cast ballots for judicial candidates as they do for other public officials. An election in which a judicial candidate’s party affiliation, if any, is not designated on the ballot.
- Retention
- Judges stand for retention election near the end of their term of office. In a retention election, judges do not have opponents. Instead, voters decide whether or not to retain a judge in office. If a judge receives a simple majority of "yes" votes, the judge may serve another full term.
- Appointment
- There are two types of appointments: Gubernatorial and Legislative. Gubernatorial appointment is the process by which a judge is appointed by the governor (without a judicial nominating commission). The appointment may require confirmation by the legislature or an executive council. A Legislative appointment is the process by which judges are nominated and appointed or elected by legislative vote only.
Disclaimer: Lambda Legal is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. We do not support or oppose any candidates running for public office.
