Maryland Supreme Court elections, 2024
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The terms of three Maryland Supreme Court justices will expire on December 31, 2024. The three seats were up for retention election on November 5, 2024. The filing deadline was August 5, 2024.
Three of seven justices on the Maryland Supreme Court are up for retention election— Angela M. Eaves, Matthew Fader, and Shirley Marie Watts. If retained, a judge wins a full ten-year term.
Heading into the election, one judge on the court was appointed by a Democratic governor and six judges were appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and all were then confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate.[1]
Candidates and results
2nd Circuit
Maryland Supreme Court 2nd Circuit, Angela M. Eaves' seat
Angela M. Eaves was retained to the 2nd Circuit of the Maryland Supreme Court on November 5, 2024 with 79.8% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
79.8
|
334,044 | ||
No |
20.2
|
84,814 | |||
Total Votes |
418,858 | ||||
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3rd Circuit
Maryland Supreme Court 3rd Circuit, Matthew Fader's seat
Matthew Fader was retained to the 3rd Circuit of the Maryland Supreme Court on November 5, 2024 with 81.5% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
81.5
|
330,995 | ||
No |
18.5
|
75,370 | |||
Total Votes |
406,365 | ||||
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6th Circuit
Maryland Supreme Court 6th Circuit, Shirley Marie Watts' seat
Shirley Marie Watts was retained to the 6th Circuit of the Maryland Supreme Court on November 5, 2024 with 89.1% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
89.1
|
133,459 | ||
No |
10.9
|
16,379 | |||
Total Votes |
149,838 | ||||
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Voting information
- See also: Voting in Maryland
About the Maryland Supreme Court
- See also: Maryland Supreme Court
The Maryland Supreme Court is Maryland's highest court. It is composed of seven judges who are appointed by the governor of the state, confirmed by the Maryland State Senate, and must stand for retention by voters thereafter. Retention elections take place during Maryland's general elections, which are held every two years in even-numbered years.
Political composition
This was the political composition of the court heading into the 2024 election.
| ■ Matthew Fader | Appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2022 | |
| ■ Jonathan Biran | Appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2019 | |
| ■ Brynja McDivitt Booth | Appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2019 | |
| ■ Steven Gould | Appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2021 | |
| ■ Vacant | ||
| ■ Angela M. Eaves | Appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2022 | |
| ■ Shirley Marie Watts | Appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) in 2013 |
Selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Maryland
Each of the seven justices on the Maryland Supreme Court serves terms of 10 years. In the case of a vacancy, the seat is filled as it normally would be if the vacancy occurred at the end of a judge's term. A judicial nominating commission recommends qualified candidates to the governor and the governor selects a successor from that list. The new appointee serves for at least one year and then stands for retention at the next general election.[2]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- a U.S. and state citizen;
- a registered state voter;
- a state resident for at least five years;
- a resident of the geographic area where the vacancy exists for at least six months;
- a state bar member;
- at least 30 years old; and
- under the age of 70 (retirement at 70 is mandatory).[2]
See also
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maryland • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maryland
State courts:
Maryland Supreme Court • Appellate Court of Maryland • Maryland District Courts • Maryland Circuit Courts • Maryland Orphans' Court
State resources:
Courts in Maryland • Maryland judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maryland
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