How are judges selected?
All circuit and county court judges who are not appointed by the governor to fill vacancies are chosen by the electors in nonpartisan judicial elections. Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the district courts of appeal are appointed by the governor after their names have been submitted by a nominating commission. Most incumbent justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the district courts of appeal run for six-year terms under a merit retention system when the name of each justice or judge appears on the ballot as a question to the voters: Should the justice or judge be retained in office? When an unfavorable vote results, the judicial position becomes vacant automatically, and the nominating process begins anew.
