Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court
Judicial Selection Method: Election (Nonpartisan)
7 Justices
6 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 general election ballot.
  • The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a nonpartisan general election is elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Interim Vacancies

  • Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of a judge, the Governor shall appoint in the manner provided by law a qualified person to fill the vacancy until a successor is elected and qualified. The successor shall be elected for a six year term at the next general election occurring more than one year after the appointment.

  • 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.