Alaska

Alaska Supreme Court
Judicial Selection Method: Missouri Plan
5 Justices
3 year minimum initial terms, 10 year full terms
State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission Judicial Selection Process Legal Authority
7 members:

  • 3 lawyers appointed by the governing body of the Alaska state bar
  • 3 non-lawyer members appointed by Governor and confirmed by state legislature
  • Chief Justice of Alaska Supreme Court is ex officio chair

Terms: 6 years (staggered)

 General

  • Judicial Council submits a list of at least two persons from which the Governor must choose one.
  • At the end of a Justice’s term, the Justice will be subject to a statewide retention election and will continue for another term if the Justice is retained.

Interim Vacancies

  • The Governor fills vacancies by appointing one of two or more persons nominated by the judicial council.

Percentage of Lawyers on the Nominating Commission

Who Selects the Nominating Commissioners?

  • Judicial Election

    Judges are elected by popular vote.

  • Democratic Appointment

    Judges are appointed directly by a democratic body, or appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of some democratic body.