Judicial elections in the United States vary widely. Some states run fully partisan judicial races. Others use a hybrid model, where party labels appear at certain stages (such as primaries) but not in the general election. A few states only use partisan elections for specific courts, like probate or lower trial courts.
As of recent election cycles, the following states use partisan elections for at least some judicial positions:
- Alabama
- Arizona – Uses both partisan and nonpartisan systems depending on the court
- Connecticut – Partisan elections for probate court judges
- Illinois
- Indiana – Mix of partisan and nonpartisan elections
- Kansas – Partisan primaries with nonpartisan general elections in some districts
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina – Partisan elections for probate court judges
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- West Virginia
Important Context for Candidates
Even within these states, the system is rarely uniform across every judicial seat.
For example:
- In Texas, most judicial races are openly partisan, and party affiliation plays a significant role in voter behavior.
- In North Carolina, judges run with party labels, but ethical rules still restrict how candidates campaign.
- In Kansas, some judicial districts use partisan primaries, but general elections may appear nonpartisan on the ballot.
- In Arizona, many appellate and higher court judges are appointed through merit selection, while other positions may involve elections.
This matters because your campaign strategy changes depending on the structure:
- In a fully partisan state, primary elections may be the most competitive stage.
- In hybrid states, you may need to win a partisan primary but then pivot to a broader electorate in a nonpartisan general.
- In states with limited partisan races (such as probate courts), the voter base and turnout patterns can differ significantly from higher courts.
Always Verify Before You Launch
Judicial election systems can change through legislation or court reform. Before filing, confirm:
- Whether your specific court is partisan
- Whether party labels appear on the ballot
- Whether there is a primary
- Filing requirements for party affiliation
Your state’s election board or judicial conduct commission is the best place to verify the current rules.
If you’re considering a judicial campaign, understanding whether your race is partisan will shape your messaging, fundraising, voter targeting, and compliance strategy from day one.
Source: Ballotpedia