Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court
Missouri Plan
5 Justices
1 year minimum initial terms, 8 year full terms
State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission Judicial Selection Process Legal Authority
      • 7 members:
    • 3 lawyers elected by the Wyoming state bar
    • 3 non-lawyers appointed by Governor
    • Chief Justice of Supreme Court or his designee is chairman

Terms: 4 years (staggered)

General

  • Commission submits a list of three nominees 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

  • A vacancy in the office of justice of the supreme court shall be filled by a qualified person appointed by the Governor from a list of three nominees that shall be submitted by the judicial nominating commission.
  • The commission shall submit such a list not later than 60 days after the death, retirement, tender of resignation, removal, failure of an incumbent to file a declaration of candidacy or certification of a negative majority vote on the question of retention in office under section [subsection] (g) hereof.
  • If the Governor shall fail to make any such appointment within 30 days from the day the list is submitted to him, such appointment shall be made by the chief justice from the list within 15 days.

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.