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Judicial selection in Ohio
| Judicial selection in Ohio | |
 | |
| Ohio Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Partisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Ohio District Courts of Appeal | |
| Method: | Partisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Ohio Courts of Common Pleas | |
| Method: | Michigan method |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Ohio County Courts | |
| Method: | Michigan method |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Ohio Municipal Courts | |
| Method: | Michigan method |
| Term: | 6 years |
Judicial selection refers to the process used to select judges for courts. At the state level, methods of judicial selection vary substantially in the United States, and in some cases between different court types within a state. There are six primary types of judicial selection: partisan and nonpartisan elections, the Michigan method, assisted appointment, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. To read more about how these selection methods are used across the country, click here.
This article covers how state court judges are selected in Ohio, including:
- Ohio Supreme Court,
- Ohio District Courts of Appeal,
- Ohio Courts of Common Pleas, and
- Limited jurisdiction courts
As of April 2025, judges on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio District Courts of Appeals were selected through partisan primary and general elections. Previously, these judges were selected through partisan primaries and nonpartisan general elections, known as the Michigan method. Judges of the trial courts, county courts, and municipal courts were selected through partisan primaries and nonpartisan general elections.[1][2]
Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Ohio Supreme Court
- See also: Ohio Supreme Court
The seven justices of the Ohio Supreme Court are selected through partisan primaries and partisan general elections. Previously, these judges were selected through partisan primaries and nonpartisan general elections, known as the Michigan method.[1][2][3]
All judges serve six-year terms, after which they are required to run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on the Ohio Supreme Court, a judge must:
- have at least six years in the practice of law;
- be licensed to practice law in the state for at least one year preceding appointment or commencement of the judge's term;
- be a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the U.S.; or and
- be under the age of 70.[4]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is chosen by voters at large, serving a full six-year term in that capacity.[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election taking place 40 or more days after the vacancy occurred. If re-elected, the judge serves the remainder of his or her predecessor's unexpired term.[3]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ohio Secretary of State, “Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide,” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ohio General Assembly, “(Senate Bill Number 80),” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," accessed September 1, 2021
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 2503.01 | Composition of supreme court; qualifications for justices.," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ Supreme Court of Ohio, "Courts of Appeal," accessed September 9, 2024
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 2501.02 | Qualification, term, and jurisdiction of appellate judges.," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 2501.06 | Presiding judge - administrative judge," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ The Supreme Court of Ohio and The Ohio Judicial System, "Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ The Ohio Judicial System, "Judicial System Structure," accessed August 21, 2014
- ↑ An Ohioan's Guide to State and Local Government, "11.11 Judicial Selection," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 1907.13 | Qualifications of county court judges," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 1901.06 | Qualifications and election of judge," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Judicial System - Court Structure, accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ The Ohio Legislature, "Senate Bill 80," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Bar, "The Modern Courts Amendment at 50," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Cuyahoga County, "How Ohio Courts Work," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, “Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide,” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ Ohio General Assembly, “(Senate Bill Number 80),” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ The Supreme Court of Ohio and The Ohio Judicial System, "First State of the Judiciary Address, Retired Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, September 8, 2011," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedreform - ↑ U.S. Courts, "FAQ: Federal Judges," accessed March 26, 2015
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Judicial Selection: The Process of Choosing Judges," accessed August 10, 2021
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio
State courts:
Ohio Supreme Court • Ohio District Courts of Appeal • Ohio Courts of Common Pleas • Ohio County Courts • Ohio Municipal Courts • Ohio Court of Claims
State resources:
Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio
