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Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center | October 2024

• Michigan's Judges Are Elected
• Judicial Qualifications
• Visiting Lansing? Schedule a Tour!
• Educator Guide

Michigan's Judges Are Elected

In contrast to federal judges with lifetime appointments, judges of Michigan’s judicial branch are elected to terms of office on the nonpartisan ballot. Judicial elections are held during the November general election in even-numbered years, including November 5, 2024.

Terms of Office

Judicial terms are eight years for the Supreme Court, and six years for the Court of Appeals and trial courts. Judges may serve as many terms as they are qualified, but they may not be elected or appointed once they have reached 70 years of age.

Any judge appointed by the Governor to fill a vacancy must run at the next judicial election for the remaining partial term in order to keep the judicial seat.

Election Districts

Judges are elected to districts with defined geographical areas. Election districts differ by the type of court and location of the judicial seat. 

• Justices of the Supreme Court run for statewide election.
• Judges of the Court of Appeals run for seats in four election districts but hear cases statewide.
• Judges of trial courts – Circuit, Probate, District, and Municipal courts – are elected by district on the nonpartisan ballot. Each trial court’s election district has the same boundaries as its territorial jurisdiction where the court has authority. 

Judicial Campaign Ethics

Judges and candidates for judicial office are held to strict ethical standards that are different than rules for candidates running for other offices. These rules appear in the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates face discipline for judicial campaign misconduct. 

Judicial Qualifications

All judges and judicial candidates:

• Must be licensed to practice law in Michigan.
• Must have practiced law for at least 5 years.
• Must be younger than age 70 at election or appointment.
• Must be a registered and qualified elector (voter) of the district.
• Are not eligible for nomination or election to elective office other than a judicial office for the period of service and one year after.

Const 1963, art 6, §19, §20, §21.

Visiting Lansing? Schedule a Tour!

Available throughout the year, tours of the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center are docent-led, interactive, grade specific, and free of charge. Tours connect to curriculum and help students better understand the role and responsibilities of the judicial branch of government.

• All tours are guided; reservations required 
• Groups up to 48, including chaperones
• Weekdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., except court holidays
• 60 minutes (center) or 90 minutes (with Supreme Court courtroom)

Preview the Experience (Social Story)

Educator Guide

The four-page Educator Guide is a convenient way to find out more about: School Tours Educational Resources Annual Programs

Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center
PO Box 30048 | Lansing, Michigan 48909 | 517-373-7171 

© 2024