Arizona Voters Face Numerous Judges on the Ballot
Arizona voters in Maricopa County face dozens of judges up for retention on the 2026 ballot. Legal experts explain the judicial merit selection system and urge voters to use performance review commissions to research candidates before casting their ballots.
Voters across United States state ballots face dozens of judicial retention questions, driven by merit selection systems designed to keep courts non-partisan. In Maricopa County alone, the 2026 ballot features one Supreme Court justice, eight Court of Appeals judges, and 48 superior court judges up for retention. Legal experts say the system helps insulate judges from political campaigns, though researching candidates remains a challenge for many voters.
