Judicial Retention Evaluations Across Several States

Judicial retention elections are a key focus in several states as voters prepare to decide the fate of judges in upcoming elections. In Kansas, judges received an average retention recommendation of 86%, with Judge Sarah E. Warner scoring the highest at 94%, while Judge G. Gordon Atcheson had the lowest at 74%. Florida voters will consider the retention of two Supreme Court justices, Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, along with 10 appellate court judges. Missouri's Judicial Review evaluated 74 judges, emphasizing the importance of reliable performance information for voters. Meanwhile, Arizona's Proposition 137 seeks to eliminate voter recall rights for state Supreme Court justices, a move criticized by Democrats as undermining judicial accountability. The proposition would restrict retention elections to instances of poor performance or specific legal issues, raising concerns about the impact on judicial independence.