| The Judicial Voter Pamphlet was first published in 1996, after an independent, state-level group of voters reviewed all aspects of our judicial selection system. During this review, public testimony indicated that many voters felt they did not have sufficient information to make informed choices about those running for judicial positions.
As a result, the Washington Supreme Court ordered the creation of a special, informational pamphlet about judicial candidates—a first for Washington State—to be published and distributed to voters statewide. The information in each section describes candidates in contested elections, only. Judicial candidates who are unopposed may appear on your ballot, but they are not included in this pamphlet.
In this online version of the pamphlet, please select your county of residence listed on the right to find contested judicial races which will appear on your ballot.
You can print a copy of your county's choices easily.
What judicial candidates can say
Two types of information are shown for each judicial candidate listed in this pamphlet:
- A brief biography, supplied by the candidate, which includes the candidate’s background and professional experience.
- A brief, unedited statement, written by the candidate, about why you should vote for that individual.
Candidates’ statements are governed by Canon 7 of Washington’s Code of Judicial Conduct. The code bars judicial candidates from making statements that appear to commit them on legal issues likely to come before them in court. The Canons also specify that a candidate may not make misleading or untruthful statements.
Judges who violate Canon 7 are subject to discipline by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct [360-753-4585]. The Washington State Bar Association [206-727-8207] reviews the conduct of lawyer candidates.
How we select judges in Washington State
Nonpartisan Election. The state’s original 1889 constitution said any person who wanted to be a judge first had to be nominated by a political party. In 1912, Washington voters amended the constitution, adopting nonpartisan elections as the way to select judges.
Appointment. When a justice of the Washington Supreme Court, or a judge of the state Court of Appeals or a superior court resigns or dies during a term of office, the Governor appoints a new judge to fill that position. The appointed judge must run in the next election, which may be contested. When a judicial vacancy occurs mid-term in a district court, county commissioners appoint a replacement, and the new judge must run in the next election.
All judges who complete their terms and wish to serve another, must stand for a nonpartisan election.
The importance of primary elections
In most instances, a judicial candidate who is unopposed or who receives more than half of the votes in a primary election is thereby elected to the position--he or she does not have to run in the November general election. But if there are three or more candidates, and no one wins more than half the votes cast, the two with the most votes must face each other in the November general election.
However…
According to state law,names of district court candidates in two-candidate races will not appear on September primary ballots. Instead, they are listed on the November general election ballot. But, if three or more candidates file for the position, all will be listed on your primary ballot. If no one wins a majority of votes in the primary, the two with the most votes will advance to the general election.
Candidates in all contested district court races are listed in this pamphlet. Keep this pamphlet if you need to vote for candidates in the November general election.
Court levels and jurisdictions
Supreme Court. The state’s "court of last resort," the Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals and other lower courts. Through its rule-making authority, it also administers the state court system. Three of the court’s nine justices come up for election every two years. Justices serve six-year terms. Voters in all 39 Washington counties may vote for candidates for the Supreme Court.
Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals hears most of the appeals that come up from the county-level superior courts. A total of 22 judges serve the court in three, multi-county divisions headquartered in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. Candidates run in one of three county groupings, or districts, within each division. Only voters registered within their districts can vote for them. Judges serve staggered, six-year terms. Please check information closely to determine which Court of Appeals positions you can vote for.
Superior Court. Superior courts are the state’s courts of general jurisdiction. They hear felony criminal cases, civil matters, dissolutions (divorces), juvenile cases, and appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction. They are organized by county into 31 judicial districts. Candidates run in the county or counties within their district, and only voters within that district can cast ballots for them. Judges serve four-year terms. Please check section headings to determine which superior court positions you can vote for.
District Court. Judges of courts of limited jurisdiction--district and municipal courts--hear misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases where damages amount to less than $50,000, small claims, traffic cases, and requests for domestic violence protection orders. District court judges are elected at the county level and serve four-year terms which begin in “off-year” election years. Those appointed mid-term must run in the next primary or general election to retain their positions. Candidates run within their counties, and only voters within the county can vote for them.
Municipal Court. Municipal court judges preside over courts in cities or towns and hear criminal misdemeanor cases and traffic cases involving municipal ordinances. In many cities and towns, municipal court judges are appointed by the mayor and/or city council. Where municipal judges are elected, they sit for four-year terms.
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