Judicial selection in Michigan
| Judicial selection in Michigan | |
 | |
| Michigan Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Michigan method |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Michigan Court of Appeals | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan Circuit Courts | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan District Courts | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan Probate Courts | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| 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 Michigan, including:
- Michigan Supreme Court,
- Michigan Court of Appeals,
- Michigan Circuit Court, and
- Limited jurisdiction courts
As of April 2023, the selection of state court judges in Michigan occurred primarily through nonpartisan elections, although supreme court judges were selected through the Michigan method.[1] All judges wishing to serve again must run for re-election at the end of their terms.[2]
Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Michigan Supreme Court
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court
The seven justices of the Michigan Supreme Court are chosen by the Michigan method in which a partisan nomination is followed by nonpartisan elections.[2] Incumbent judges seeking re-election may file an affidavit of candidacy requesting to be placed on the ballot, while non-incumbent candidates must either file a nominating petition or obtain a partisan nomination at a party convention. Incumbency is noted on the ballot, though party affiliation is not. Judges serve eight-year terms and must be re-elected if they wish to remain on the court.[3]
Qualifications
To be elected to the supreme court, a judge must:
- be a qualified elector;
- be licensed to practice law in the state;
- have at least five years of law practice experience;
- be under the age of 70.[3]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the court is elected by his or her fellow justices and serves a two-year term[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to serve until the next general election. At the governor's request, the state bar's standing committee on judicial qualifications interviews, evaluates, and rates all candidates, submitting a confidential report to the governor. However, the governor is not required to request candidates from the committee, nor is the governor bound by the committee's evaluations.[3]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
- Michigan Courts
- Michigan Secretary of State, "Elections in Michigan"
- American Judicature Society, "Judicial Selection in the States: Michigan," archived January 11, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ The Michigan-Ohio method involves candidates for a nonpartisan general election being selected using partisan processes.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Michigan," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 27, 2021
- ↑ State of Michigan, "97th Legislature, Regular Session of 2013: Act No. 164," accessed August 30, 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Limited Jurisdiction Courts," accessed August 27, 2021
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "History of Reform Efforts: Michigan," accessed August 30, 2021
- ↑ 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: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
