Kentucky

Supreme Court of Kentucky
Judicial Selection Method: Election (Nonpartisan)
7 Justices
8 year terms
State High Court Judicial Selection Process Legal Authority
General

  • Candidates are nominated in a nonpartisan primary election.
  • The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes are placed on the nonpartisan general election ballot.
  • The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a district-wide election is elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court.
  • Seven Justices are elected from each of the seven districts in a staggered manner.

Interim Vacancies

  • A vacancy in the office of a justice of the Supreme Court, or of a judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit or district court shall be filled by the Governor from a list of three names presented to him by the appropriate judicial nominating commission.
  • If the Governor fails to make an appointment from the list within sixty days from the date it is presented to him, the appointment shall be made from the same list by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
  • 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.