Michigan

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

  • Candidates are nominated to judicial office by each political party at its fall state convention.
  • The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the nonpartisan general election is elected to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Interim Vacancies

  • The Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy in the office of justice of the supreme court. The person appointed by the Governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act and shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general election, at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  • At the next general November election held at least 105 days after the vacancy occurs, a person nominated under section 392 shall be elected to fill that office. The person elected shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

  • 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.