State intermediate appellate court elections, 2026
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Twenty-nine states are holding intermediate appellate court elections in 2026. There are 226 seats on intermediate appellate courts up for election. The number of seats up for election may change due to resignations and appointments. More information about these elections will be added here once election dates and filing schedules are made available.
Intermediate appellate courts serve as an intermediate step between the trial courts and the courts of last resort in a state. Their jurisdiction varies from state to state.
In addition, in the U.S. Territories, two intermediate appellate court judges will be on the ballot in retention elections in 2026. Two judges on the Northern Mariana Islands Superior Court must stand for retention to remain on the bench.
Click here for information on state supreme court elections. Click here for information on local trial court elections.
For information on intermediate appellate court elections happening this year, click here.
Offices up for election in 2026
The following states are holding elections for intermediate appellate court seats in 2026. This list is subject to change if judges retire or are appointed.
Judicial selection methods
- See also: Judicial selection in the states
States use a variety of methods to elect intermediate appellate court judges.
- In a partisan election, candidates may be nominated by political parties or declare their party affiliations upon filing to stand in the election. Primaries are typically held to narrow down the candidates to one per party before the general election; some states hold primaries in which candidates of all parties compete with each other and the top vote-getters advance regardless of party.
- In a nonpartisan election, some states require candidates to declare their party affiliations, while some states prohibit them from doing so. If primaries are held, they do not narrow the candidates to one per party; instead, they typically narrow the candidates to two for each seat regardless of party.
- In a retention election, an incumbent judge does not face an opponent. A question is placed on the ballot asking whether each judge shall be retained for another term, and voters choose "yes" or "no." Judges must receive majority "yes" votes in order to remain in their seats.
To learn more about judicial selection methods, click here.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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