Judicial selection in Minnesota
| Judicial selection in Minnesota | |
 | |
| Minnesota Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Minnesota Court of Appeals | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Minnesota District Courts | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
Contents |
Judges in Minnesota are chosen by the method of non-partisan elections. [1]
Supreme Court
Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court are elected in non-partisan elections to six year terms.
If a midterm vacancy occurs, it is filled by gubernatorial appointment. Judges must then compete in the next general election more than one year after appointment.
The chief justice of the Supreme Court is elected by the voters.
In order to serve on the court, one must be:
- "learned in the law"; and
- under the age of 70. [2]
Court of Appeals
The 16 judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals are chosen in non-partisan elections to serve six year terms.
If a midterm vacancy occurs, it is filled by gubernatorial appointment.
The chief judge of the Court of Appeals is chosen by the governor to serve a term of three years.
Qualifications for service are the same as those of the Minnesota Supreme Court. [2]
District Courts
The 289 judges of the Minnesota District Courts are chosen via non-partisan elections to serve six year terms.
District court vacancies between general elections are filled by gubernatorial appointment after selection by a judicial selection commission. The Commission accepts and reviews applications for vacancies in the judiciary for District Courts. It then recommends applicants to the Governor, who makes an appointment. The new judge must run for office in the next general election, more than one year after being appointed.
The chief judge of these courts are chosen by the other members of the court and serve two year terms.
The qualifications for serving on the court are the same as on the Minnesota Supreme Court. [2]
See also
- State Supreme Court elections
- Campaign finance requirements for Minnesota judicial elections
- Minnesota judicial elections
- Courts in Minnesota
External links
- Minnesota Commission on Judicial selection
- American Judicature Society, History of Reform Efforts: Minnesota
References
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