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How do judicial elections in California work?

How do judicial elections in California work?
Legal & Financial 8 answers • Dmitri Alexeev
I'm trying to make an informed decision on the upcoming vote, but I'm baffled with the options to vote yes/no for various judges. Without candidate statements or case histories, how do people make a decision?
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5 Answers · 3 replies

Yuna •
In California, judicial elections differ from typical candidate elections. Most judges aren't elected; instead, they're chosen by the governor. This means the governor's pick can significantly impact the outcome. A non-partisan commission reviews the governor's selections and advises on the candidates' qualifications. The focus of judicial elections is on whether the judges get to stay in their positions. Since candidates aren't allowed to be partisan, their statements would be essentially meaningless.
Jimin JangJimin Jang •
Judges in California face a kind of automatic vote of no confidence. This system can be seen as an interesting way to handle appointed positions. In theory, if a judge is performing poorly, the public's disapproval can lead to their removal, and regularly asking voters to reconfirm their support can increase the likelihood of this outcome.
Yuna •
While it can be confusing, the complexity of California's judicial election system is often a result of inadequate civics education. Ideally, we'd educate voters better, but realistically, this isn't happening. Should we redesign the system to be more straightforward, or is it too late for that?
Dmitri Alexeev OP •
Thank you for sharing these insights. It's helpful to understand the consequences of affirming or not affirming judges. This knowledge makes me more confident in my voting decisions.
Gaston •
A voter guide suggests marking 'no' on the reelection of all judges. This guide's author has aligned themselves with Trump, which may influence voters' decisions.
Willem De VriesWillem De Vries •
It's understandable to leave some contests blank if you're unsure about the implications of your vote. Focus on the issues that matter most to you.
paula35paula35 •
Republican voting guides often include judge endorsements. I tend to vote against these endorsements.
Aaron R •
I voted 'yes' for all judges except for the two who were over 70 years old. I think there should be an age limit for judges.
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