KEEP OUR COURTS FAIR AND IMPARTIAL
RETENTION BALLOT QUESTIONS
Why are Supreme Court justices, The Court of Criminal Appeals judges and the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals judges on the ballot this year?
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices and the judges of the two other appellate courts are on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years so voters can determine whether they should stay in office. This regular vote is called “merit retention.” This year, four Supreme Court justices (out of nine), three Court of Criminal Appeals judges (out of five) and four Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals judges (out of twelve) have merit retention elections.
What do "Yes" and "No" votes mean?
A “Yes” vote means you want the justice or judge to stay in office. A “No” vote means you want the justice or judge to be removed from office. The majority of voters decides.
Do Supreme Court justices and the judges of the other two appellate courts have opponents?
No. Your vote will determine whether each justice or judge listed on the ballot should stay in office. They are not running against opponents or each other. Merit retention elections are non-partisan.
How do Supreme Court justices and the judges of the other two appellate courts get into office?
The governor appoints them from lists submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission, which screen candidates and make recommendations based on the merits of applicants.
Newly appointed justices and judges go before voters for the first time within two years after the initial appointment. If the voters retain them, they then go on the ballot again every six years.