2026 United States judicial elections
|
|
United States judicial elections are scheduled to be held in 2026, in various states across the country, for both supreme courts and appellate courts. Justices are elected across the country in partisan, nonpartisan, and retention elections.[1]
Race summaries
Nonpartisan elections
Arkansas
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Position 3 | J. Cody Hiland | 2023[a] | Incumbent running. To be elected March 3, 2026. | |
| Supreme Court Position 6 | Nicholas Bronni | 2025[b] | Incumbent running. To be elected March 3, 2026. |
|
Georgia
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Sarah Hawkins Warren | 2018[c] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected May 19, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Charlie Bethel | 2018[d] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected May 19, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Benjamin Land | 2025[e] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected May 19, 2026. | TBD |
Idaho
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Gregory W. Moeller | 2019[f] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Cynthia Meyer | 2023[g] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
Kentucky
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court District 3 | Debra H. Lambert | 2018 | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026. | |
| Court of Appeals (special) |
Will Moynahan | 2025[h] | Incumbent running. To be elected November 5, 2026. |
|
Minnesota
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Seat 1 | Sarah Hennesy | 2024[i] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat 2 | Theodora Gaïtas | 2024[j] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat 4 | Paul Thissen | 2018[k] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
Mississippi
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court District 3, Position 1 (special) |
Vacant | N/A | Incumbent to be determined. To be elected November 5, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court District 3, Position 2 (special) |
Vacant | N/A | Incumbent to be determined. To be elected November 5, 2026.[3] | TBD |
| Court of Appeals District 1, Position 1 (special) |
John D. Weddle | 2024[l] | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026.[4] | TBD |
Montana
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Beth Baker | 2010 | Incumbent retiring. To be elected November 3, 2026. |
|
Nevada
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Seat B | Kristina Pickering | 2008 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat D | Douglas W. Herndon | 2020 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
North Dakota
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Jerod E. Tufte | 2016 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Douglas Bahr | 2023[m] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
Washington
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Seat 1 (special) |
Colleen Melody | 2025[n] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026.[6] | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat 3 | Raquel Montoya-Lewis | 2020[o] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat 4 | Charles W. Johnson | 1990 | Incumbent ineligible. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court Seat 7 | Debra L. Stephens | 2008[p] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
West Virginia
| Position | Incumbent | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court of Appeals (special) |
Thomas Ewing | 2025[q] | Incumbent running. To be elected May 12, 2026.[7] | TBD |
| Supreme Court of Appeals (special) |
Gerald Titus III | 2025[r] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected May 12, 2026.[8] | TBD |
Wisconsin
| Position | Incumbent | Appointed | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Rebecca Bradley | 2015 Appointed by Governor Scott Walker | Incumbent retiring.[9] To be elected April 7, 2026 | |
| Court of Appeals District I | M. Joseph Donald | 2019 Appointed by Governor Tony Evers | Incumbent's intent unknown. Election April 7, 2026. | |
| Court of Appeals District II | Lisa Neubauer | 2008 Appointed by Governor Jim Doyle | Incumbent retiring. Election April 7, 2026 | |
| Court of Appeals District IV | Rachel A. Graham | 2019 Appointed by Governor Tony Evers | Incumbent's intent unknown. Election April 7, 2026. |
Partisan elections
Alabama
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court (special) | Will Parker | Republican | 2025[s] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026.[10] | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Greg Shaw | Republican | 2008 | Incumbent running. To be elected November 5, 2026. | |
| Supreme Court | Brady E. Mendheim Jr. | Republican | 2018[t] | Incumbent running. To be elected November 5, 2026. |
|
| Civil Appeals | William C. Thompson | Republican | 1996 | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026. | |
| Civil Appeals | Matt Fridy | Republican | 2020 | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026. | |
| Criminal Appeals | Mary Becker Windom | Republican | 2008 | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026. | |
| Criminal Appeals | J. Elizabeth Kellum | Republican | 2008 | Incumbent's intent unknown. To be elected November 5, 2026. |
Louisiana
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court District 1 (Special) | Vacant[13] | TBD | N/A | Incumbent to be determined. To be elected TBD. | TBD |
| Supreme Court District 3 | Cade Cole | 2025 | Republican | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court District 4 | Jay McCallum | 2020 | Republican | Incumbent to be determined. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
Michigan
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Megan Cavanagh | Democratic | 2018 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
| Supreme Court | Noah Hood | Democratic | 2025[u] | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
North Carolina
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Seat 1 | Anita Earls | Democratic | 2018 | Incumbent running. To be elected November 3, 2026. |
|
Ohio
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Jennifer Brunner | Democratic | 2020 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. |
|
| Supreme Court | Daniel R. Hawkins | Republican | 2024 | Incumbent’s intent unknown. To be elected November 3, 2026. | TBD |
Retention elections
Alaska
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Jude Pate | Nonpartisan | 2023[v] | Retention vote to be held November 5, 2026. |
Arizona
Arizona will hold one retention election to the Arizona Supreme Court, and 17 elections to the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Maryland
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Circuit 4 | Peter Killough | Nonpartisan | 2024[w] | Retention vote to be held November 5, 2026. |
Missouri
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Paul C. Wilson | Nonpartisan | 2012[x] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
New Mexico
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | David K. Thomson | Democratic | 2019[y] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court | C. Shannon Bacon | Democratic | 2019[z] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
Oklahoma
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court District 1 | M. John Kane IV | Nonpartisan | 2019[aa] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court District 4 (special) |
Travis Jett | Nonpartisan | 2025[ab] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court District 6 | Dana Kuehn | Nonpartisan | 2021[ac] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court District 9 | Richard Darby | Nonpartisan | 2018[ad] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
Tennessee
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Mary L. Wagner | Nonpartisan | 2024[ae] | Retention vote to be held August 6, 2026. |
| Supreme Court (special) |
Vacant | Nonpartisan | 2026[af] | Retention vote to be held August 6, 2026.[16] |
Utah
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Diana Hagen | Nonpartisan | 2022[ag] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court | Jill Pohlman | Nonpartisan | 2022[ah] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
Wyoming
| Position | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Robert Jarosh | Nonpartisan | 2024[ai] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026. |
| Supreme Court (special) |
Bridget Hill | Nonpartisan | 2025[aj] | Retention vote to be held November 3, 2026.[17] |
Kansas ballot measure
The U.S. state of Kansas will hold a referendum to determine whether or not to vote on justices of the Kansas Supreme Court in 2028, justices are currently appointed by the Governor of Kansas.[18]
Notes
- ^ Appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
- ^ Appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
- ^ Appointed by Governor Nathan Deal
- ^ Appointed by Governor Nathan Deal
- ^ Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp
- ^ Appointed by Governor Butch Otter
- ^ Appointed by Governor Brad Little
- ^ Appointed by Governor Andy Beshear
- ^ Appointed by Governor Tim Walz
- ^ Appointed by Governor Tim Walz
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton
- ^ Appointed by Governor Tate Reeves
- ^ Appointed by Governor Doug Burgum
- ^ Appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson
- ^ Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee
- ^ Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire
- ^ Appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey
- ^ Appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey
- ^ Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey
- ^ Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey
- ^ Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mike Dunleavy
- ^ Appointed by Governor Wes Moore
- ^ Appointed by Governor Jay Nixon
- ^ Appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
- ^ Appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
- ^ Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt
- ^ Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt
- ^ Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
- ^ Appointed by Governor Bill Lee
- ^ To be appointed by Governor Bill Lee
- ^ Appointed by Governor Spencer Cox
- ^ Appointed by Governor Spencer Cox
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mark Gordon
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mark Gordon
References
- ^ "State judicial elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-a-e/election-commission/march-3-2026-primary-information
- ^ https://mississippitoday.org/2025/12/10/senate-confirms-trump-nominees-for-federal-judgeships/
- ^ https://www.wtva.com/news/local/special-election-date-set-for-north-mississippi-judicial-seat/article_bf7c1c2d-2579-40f2-b80a-26b7454426fc.html
- ^ https://montanafreepress.org/2025/04/09/state-supreme-court-justice-beth-baker-wont-run-again/
- ^ https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-appoints-spokane-native-colleen-melody-washington-supreme-court
- ^ https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2025/08/judge-ewing-appointed-to-fill-west-virginia-supreme-court-vacancy/
- ^ https://wvmetronews.com/2025/11/21/governor-announces-attorney-gerald-titus-iii-to-fill-supreme-court-vacancy/
- ^ "Justice Rebecca Bradley will not seek reelection, setting up wide open Wisconsin Supreme Court race". WPR. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ https://aldailynews.com/ivey-appoints-will-parker-to-alabama-supreme-court/
- ^ Cason, Mike (June 4, 2025). "Alabama Supreme Court candidate says 'anti-family' IVF ruling was 'wildly out of touch'". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- ^ a b "Opinion | Greg Shaw: A steady mainstay, conservative judge on the Alabama Supreme Court". Alabama Political Reporter. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2025/12/10/senate-confirms-trump-federal-judge-in-new-oreleas-as-shreveport-attorney-awaits-vote/87698717007/
- ^ https://www.wral.com/news/nccapitol/us-senate-congress-legislature-north-carolina-2026-election-midterm-dec-2025/
- ^ https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11/northeast-ohio-republican-judge-drops-bid-for-state-supreme-court.html
- ^ https://www.tncourts.gov/press/2025/09/23/tennessee-supreme-court-justice-holly-kirby-announces-retirement
- ^ https://www.wyocourts.gov/supreme-court/
- ^ "In 2026, Kansans will vote on whether Supreme Court justices should be elected". The Beacon Kansas. March 19, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.