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California Supreme Court elections, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 22
- Early voting: Oct. 8 - Nov. 5
- Absentee voting deadline: Postmark Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Voter ID: No
- Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
| 2018 election dates | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file candidacy | |
| August 15, 2018 | |
| General election | |
| November 6, 2018 | |
| 2018 State Judicial Elections | |
|---|---|
2019 »
« 2017
| |
 | |
| Overview | |
| Supreme Courts Overview | |
| Appellate Courts Overview | |
| View judicial elections by state: | |
The terms of California Supreme Court justices Carol Corrigan and Leondra Kruger expired in January 2019. Both were retained by voters in November 2018 to remain on the bench for a full twelve-year term.
Corrigan was appointed to the bench by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in December 2005. Kruger was appointed to the bench by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in 2014 to complete the term Justice Joyce Kennard was retained for in 2006. As of 2018, the seven-member court had three Brown appointees, two Schwarzenegger appointees, one justice appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson (R), and one vacancy. The vacancy was created in August 2017 when Wilson appointee Kathryn Werdegar retired.
Corrigan's retention faced opposition from groups including San Diego Democrats for Equality over decisions related to gay marriage in the state.[1] Read more below.
The last justices to not win their retention elections were Supreme Chief Justice Rose Bird and Associate Justices Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin in 1986. According to the San Diego Free Press, retention opponents focused on the justices' opposition to capital punishment.[2]
Candidates and results
Corrigan's seat
General election candidates
- Carol Corrigan (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Kruger's seat
General election candidates
- Leondra Kruger (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Carol Corrigan retention election
Associate Justice Carol Corrigan (NP)
On the supreme court bench since 2006.
Associate Justice Carol Corrigan, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in December 2005, faced opposition in her retention election from groups including San Diego Democrats for Equality. They cited Corrigan's dissent in In re Marriage Cases, the May 2008 case where a 4-3 majority on the California Supreme Court struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban.[1] In her dissent, Corrigan said she personally supported same-sex marriage and that she wanted voters, not the court, to decide its legalization. She wrote, "We should allow the significant achievements embodied in the domestic partnership statutes to continue to take root. If there is to be a new understanding of the meaning of marriage in California, it should develop among the people of our state and find its expression at the ballot box.”[3]
California voters overturned the Supreme Court ruling in November 2008 when they approved Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriage in the state illegal, by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. In May 2009, Corrigan joined a 6-1 majority opinion that upheld Proposition 8 and declared that the marriages that occurred between the May 2008 ruling and Proposition 8's enactment were valid.[4] Proposition 8 was struck down in 2013 by a federal district court ruling after the United States Supreme Court found that its supporters did not have legal standing to defend a state law.
From 1935 to 2017, three California justices were not retained by voters. Supreme Chief Justice Rose Bird and Associate Justices Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin were not retained in the 1986 elections. According to the San Diego Free Press, retention opponents focused on the justices' opposition to capital punishment.[2]
Corrigan supporters
Ballotpedia identified the following organizations and persons arguing for Corrigan's retention. If you know of any other organizations or persons to include, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
- The Los Angeles Times (in a joint endorsement of Corrigan and Leondra Kruger)
- "Their different backgrounds notwithstanding, Corrigan’s and Kruger’s votes and opinions peg neither justice as an obvious liberal or conservative, ideologue or pragmatist. Both are considered deft thinkers and writers. Both would serve the state well should they be retained and serve another 12 years."[5]
- Napa County GOP[6]
Corrigan interview on The California Channel
The California Channel interviewed Corrigan on September 20. Watch it below:
|
Corrigan opponents
Ballotpedia identified the following organizations and persons arguing against Corrigan's retention. If you know of any other organizations or persons to include, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
- The Lambda Democratic Club of Contra Costa County
- "Justice Corrigan was on the wrong side of history in 2008. She should not be rewarded with another term in 2018."[4]
- Olympic diver Greg Louganis
- "CA peeps: On the ridiculously long Nov ballot you will be asked to confirm election of two CA Supreme Court Justices. One of them is #CarolCorrigan, one of 3 dissenting justices who voted against same sex marriage. Do NOT skip this- say “NO” to another 12 year term for her!!”[7]
- San Diego Democrats for Equality[7]
- "As a result of her legal rulings against the civil rights of the LGBT community — her own community — I believe this is cause to not retain her as an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court."[1]
About the California Supreme Court
- See also: California Supreme Court
The California Supreme Court is the state's court of last resort. The court is composed of a chief justice and six associate justices, who are appointed by the governor to 12-year terms. Appointments must be confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The court has jurisdiction to review any ruling of the California Courts of Appeal, and also handles misconduct cases and discipline of state attorneys and judges.[8]
Political composition
| ■ Ming Chin | Appointed in 1996 by Gov. Pete Wilson (R) | |
| ■ Carol Corrigan | Appointed in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) | |
| ■ Goodwin Liu | Appointed in 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) | |
| ■ Tani Cantil-Sakauye | Appointed in 2010 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) | |
| ■ Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar | Appointed in 2014 by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) | |
| ■ Leondra Kruger | Appointed in 2014 by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) |
Selection
- See also: Gubernatorial appointment
Justices of the California Supreme Court are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the California Commission on Judicial Appointments. The state bar's Commission on Judicial Nominee Evaluation (the "Jenny Commission," made up of attorneys and public members) is required to perform extensive investigation on prospective appointees. The commission recommends candidates to the governor after examining their qualifications and fitness, ranking them as exceptionally well qualified, well qualified, qualified or not qualified.[9]
The governor is not bound to these recommendations, but he is held accountable to the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which is free to approve or veto the appointment by majority vote.[9]
If they wish to retain their seat, newly appointed justices are required to participate in yes-no retention elections occurring at the time of the next gubernatorial race. (Gubernatorial elections occur every four years). After their initial retention, justices will serve a full twelve-year term.[9][10] Judges' terms begin on the Monday after January 1 following their election.[11]
Qualifications
Candidates are required only to have ten years of experience as a law practitioner or as a judge of a court of record.[9]
Selection of the chief justice
The court uses the same process for selecting its chief justice as for other justices. The governor, with commission approval, appoints a chief for a full twelve-year term.[9]
State profile
| Demographic data for California | ||
|---|---|---|
| California | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 38,993,940 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 155,779 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 61.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 5.9% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 13.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 4.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 38.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 81.8% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 31.4% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $61,818 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 18.2% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in California. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in California
California voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More California coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in California
- United States congressional delegations from California
- Public policy in California
- Endorsers in California
- California fact checks
- More...
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
There are no Pivot Counties in California. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won California with 61.7 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 31.6 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, California voted Republican 53.33 percent of the time and Democratic 43.33 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, California voted Democratic all five times. In 2016, California had 55 electoral votes, which was the most of any state. The 55 electoral votes were 10.2 percent of all 538 available electoral votes and were 20.4 percent of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election.
Presidential results by legislative district
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in California. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[12][13]
| In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 58 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 38.4 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 66 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 40.3 points. Clinton won 11 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections. |
| In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 22 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 12.2 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 14 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 13 points. |
| 2016 Presidential Results by State Assembly District | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
| 1 | 39.63% | 57.31% | R+17.7 | 36.09% | 56.75% | R+20.7 | R |
| 2 | 64.68% | 30.51% | D+34.2 | 62.20% | 28.98% | D+33.2 | D |
| 3 | 42.41% | 54.46% | R+12.1 | 39.47% | 53.31% | R+13.8 | R |
| 4 | 63.16% | 33.86% | D+29.3 | 63.03% | 29.95% | D+33.1 | D |
| 5 | 41.27% | 55.92% | R+14.7 | 38.51% | 54.85% | R+16.3 | R |
| 6 | 38.59% | 59.09% | R+20.5 | 41.17% | 52.02% | R+10.9 | R |
| 7 | 67.59% | 29.61% | D+38 | 67.63% | 25.69% | D+41.9 | D |
| 8 | 51.72% | 45.62% | D+6.1 | 51.77% | 41.03% | D+10.7 | D |
| 9 | 60.56% | 37.52% | D+23 | 61.47% | 32.89% | D+28.6 | D |
| 10 | 73.76% | 23.28% | D+50.5 | 75.65% | 17.96% | D+57.7 | D |
| 11 | 60.96% | 36.87% | D+24.1 | 58.86% | 35.17% | D+23.7 | D |
| 12 | 45.19% | 52.50% | R+7.3 | 43.11% | 51.05% | R+7.9 | R |
| 13 | 64.23% | 33.88% | D+30.4 | 62.97% | 31.79% | D+31.2 | D |
| 14 | 68.80% | 28.72% | D+40.1 | 69.55% | 24.47% | D+45.1 | D |
| 15 | 86.82% | 9.56% | D+77.3 | 87.39% | 7.04% | D+80.4 | D |
| 16 | 57.74% | 40.10% | D+17.6 | 64.47% | 29.23% | D+35.2 | R |
| 17 | 87.07% | 9.36% | D+77.7 | 88.12% | 6.95% | D+81.2 | D |
| 18 | 86.89% | 10.23% | D+76.7 | 85.89% | 8.44% | D+77.5 | D |
| 19 | 78.94% | 18.38% | D+60.6 | 81.63% | 13.34% | D+68.3 | D |
| 20 | 75.74% | 22.15% | D+53.6 | 75.52% | 19.12% | D+56.4 | D |
| 21 | 55.61% | 42.03% | D+13.6 | 54.63% | 39.46% | D+15.2 | D |
| 22 | 71.43% | 26.31% | D+45.1 | 75.16% | 19.75% | D+55.4 | D |
| 23 | 43.46% | 54.71% | R+11.2 | 43.95% | 50.78% | R+6.8 | R |
| 24 | 72.16% | 24.96% | D+47.2 | 78.19% | 15.93% | D+62.3 | D |
| 25 | 72.40% | 25.26% | D+47.1 | 73.61% | 20.90% | D+52.7 | D |
| 26 | 41.15% | 56.68% | R+15.5 | 41.54% | 52.93% | R+11.4 | R |
| 27 | 76.36% | 21.54% | D+54.8 | 77.76% | 17.29% | D+60.5 | D |
| 28 | 66.64% | 30.77% | D+35.9 | 70.63% | 23.08% | D+47.6 | D |
| 29 | 69.95% | 26.66% | D+43.3 | 70.00% | 22.96% | D+47 | D |
| 30 | 66.99% | 30.86% | D+36.1 | 66.70% | 27.32% | D+39.4 | D |
| 31 | 61.98% | 36.21% | D+25.8 | 62.13% | 32.93% | D+29.2 | D |
| 32 | 56.20% | 41.81% | D+14.4 | 56.50% | 37.98% | D+18.5 | D |
| 33 | 41.80% | 55.51% | R+13.7 | 40.02% | 54.61% | R+14.6 | R |
| 34 | 33.96% | 63.85% | R+29.9 | 34.07% | 60.21% | R+26.1 | R |
| 35 | 47.82% | 49.42% | R+1.6 | 49.57% | 43.43% | D+6.1 | R |
| 36 | 48.79% | 48.48% | D+0.3 | 49.94% | 43.86% | D+6.1 | R |
| 37 | 60.97% | 36.28% | D+24.7 | 64.27% | 29.21% | D+35.1 | D |
| 38 | 46.73% | 50.84% | R+4.1 | 49.64% | 44.39% | D+5.2 | R |
| 39 | 73.75% | 23.67% | D+50.1 | 74.64% | 19.80% | D+54.8 | D |
| 40 | 53.14% | 44.72% | D+8.4 | 54.08% | 40.01% | D+14.1 | R |
| 41 | 59.74% | 37.72% | D+22 | 62.82% | 31.27% | D+31.5 | D |
| 42 | 44.98% | 52.93% | R+7.9 | 45.61% | 49.70% | R+4.1 | R |
| 43 | 67.35% | 29.62% | D+37.7 | 68.94% | 25.45% | D+43.5 | D |
| 44 | 52.37% | 45.51% | D+6.9 | 57.12% | 36.99% | D+20.1 | D |
| 45 | 63.46% | 34.12% | D+29.3 | 67.36% | 27.39% | D+40 | D |
| 46 | 73.73% | 23.65% | D+50.1 | 76.20% | 18.48% | D+57.7 | D |
| 47 | 71.49% | 26.54% | D+44.9 | 70.10% | 24.80% | D+45.3 | D |
| 48 | 64.08% | 33.44% | D+30.6 | 65.60% | 28.50% | D+37.1 | D |
| 49 | 64.69% | 33.26% | D+31.4 | 67.57% | 27.17% | D+40.4 | D |
| 50 | 70.79% | 26.51% | D+44.3 | 76.72% | 18.33% | D+58.4 | D |
| 51 | 83.48% | 13.50% | D+70 | 84.05% | 10.19% | D+73.9 | D |
| 52 | 65.01% | 32.92% | D+32.1 | 65.78% | 28.71% | D+37.1 | D |
| 53 | 84.64% | 12.59% | D+72 | 84.83% | 9.63% | D+75.2 | D |
| 54 | 83.62% | 13.88% | D+69.7 | 85.15% | 10.12% | D+75 | D |
| 55 | 45.77% | 52.23% | R+6.5 | 49.92% | 44.61% | D+5.3 | R |
| 56 | 62.14% | 36.26% | D+25.9 | 64.21% | 31.24% | D+33 | D |
| 57 | 63.71% | 34.01% | D+29.7 | 65.92% | 28.39% | D+37.5 | D |
| 58 | 70.24% | 27.80% | D+42.4 | 72.54% | 22.26% | D+50.3 | D |
| 59 | 93.24% | 5.19% | D+88 | 90.70% | 5.09% | D+85.6 | D |
| 60 | 51.32% | 46.31% | D+5 | 52.48% | 41.97% | D+10.5 | D |
| 61 | 63.43% | 34.55% | D+28.9 | 62.47% | 31.62% | D+30.9 | D |
| 62 | 80.81% | 17.00% | D+63.8 | 82.05% | 13.06% | D+69 | D |
| 63 | 76.06% | 21.73% | D+54.3 | 77.35% | 17.38% | D+60 | D |
| 64 | 88.74% | 9.98% | D+78.8 | 86.21% | 9.61% | D+76.6 | D |
| 65 | 51.90% | 45.68% | D+6.2 | 56.73% | 37.28% | D+19.4 | D |
| 66 | 54.18% | 43.24% | D+10.9 | 59.97% | 33.60% | D+26.4 | D |
| 67 | 39.61% | 58.33% | R+18.7 | 38.89% | 55.94% | R+17.1 | R |
| 68 | 42.55% | 55.12% | R+12.6 | 49.42% | 44.58% | D+4.8 | R |
| 69 | 67.37% | 30.30% | D+37.1 | 71.94% | 22.33% | D+49.6 | D |
| 70 | 67.38% | 29.93% | D+37.5 | 68.13% | 25.09% | D+43 | D |
| 71 | 38.47% | 59.51% | R+21 | 38.19% | 56.26% | R+18.1 | R |
| 72 | 46.71% | 51.06% | R+4.4 | 51.40% | 43.13% | D+8.3 | R |
| 73 | 38.68% | 59.36% | R+20.7 | 43.89% | 50.38% | R+6.5 | R |
| 74 | 45.14% | 52.42% | R+7.3 | 50.71% | 43.29% | D+7.4 | R |
| 75 | 39.42% | 58.50% | R+19.1 | 43.22% | 50.68% | R+7.5 | R |
| 76 | 48.76% | 49.04% | R+0.3 | 53.11% | 40.38% | D+12.7 | R |
| 77 | 48.25% | 49.83% | R+1.6 | 55.16% | 38.94% | D+16.2 | R |
| 78 | 63.15% | 34.08% | D+29.1 | 67.48% | 25.85% | D+41.6 | D |
| 79 | 61.21% | 36.91% | D+24.3 | 64.24% | 30.04% | D+34.2 | D |
| 80 | 69.47% | 28.67% | D+40.8 | 73.15% | 21.34% | D+51.8 | D |
| Total | 60.35% | 37.19% | D+23.2 | 62.25% | 31.89% | D+30.4 | - |
| Source: Daily Kos | |||||||
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 San Diego Democrats for Equality, "NO on Justice Carol Corrigan," October 6, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 San Diego Free Press, "An Explainer on Electing Judges in California," October 15, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban," May 16, 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Bay Area Reporter, "Political Notes: CA judicial retention races fly under the radar," October 26, 2018
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Our recommendations for the California Supreme Court and Second District Court of Appeal elections: Just say 'yes,'" October 4, 2018
- ↑ Napa Valley Register, "GOP recommendations for Nov. 6," October 28, 2018
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mercury News, "Diving legend Greg Louganis wants California Justice’s confirmation bid to belly flop," October 11, 2018
- ↑ California Courts, "About the Supreme Court," accessed December 23, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: California," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Justices of the supreme and appellate courts," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ California Constitution, "Article 6," accessed May 21, 2014 (Scroll to Sec. 16)
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California
State courts:
California Supreme Court • California Courts of Appeal • California Superior Courts
State resources:
Courts in California • California judicial elections • Judicial selection in California
