Ellen Smith
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Ellen Smith is a judge for the Third Family Court Circuit in West Virginia.[1] Ellen Smith won the general election on May 10, 2016.
Biography
Smith earned her B.A. in international business management and French from Marietta College. She later received her J.D. from West Virginia University. Smith has operated her Parkersburg-based law practice since 2000.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Smith's campaign website listed the following themes for 2016:
| “ |
I am a lifelong resident of Wood County, WV, as is my husband, Justin. We love the State of West Virginia and its people. Practicing family law in Wood County has been a wonderful part of my life. Helping families at times of crisis has been very fulfilling. After many years of practicing family law, I now feel called to use my experience and skills to serve our community as a Family Court Judge. As a family law attorney, I have extensive experience with a wide variety of family law matters. A large part of my work involves divorces, with the accompanying issues of child custody, spousal support and division of assets. I have handled virtually all types of Family Court cases. Family Court Judges decide matters most important to people, including issues involving children and finances. Given the tremendous responsibility of a Family Court Judge, one holding this position should not only have significant experience with family law, but they should also have a desire and ability to serve the families in their community. My education and vast experience have prepared me to serve our community as Third Circuit Family Court Judge in Wood and Pleasants Counties. [3] |
” |
| —Ellen Smith (2016), [2] | ||
Elections
2016
West Virginia held general elections for county judicial offices on May 10, 2016. This date coincided with partisan primaries for statewide and federal offices. The 2016 election was the first nonpartisan election for the state's judicial seats since statehood in 1863. Learn more about this change here. Candidates interested in filing for the election submitted paperwork by January 30, 2016. Ellen Smith defeated Chad Crumbaker, Russell Skogstad, Charles Stalnaker and Brian Dempster defeated in the general election for the West Virginia Family Court Circuit 3, Division 1 seat.[1]
| West Virginia Family Court Circuit 3, Division 1 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Ellen Smith |
35.58% | 6,918 |
| Chad Crumbaker | 21.51% | 4,183 |
| Russell Skogstad | 15.36% | 2,987 |
| Charles Stalnaker | 14.95% | 2,907 |
| Brian Dempster | 12.60% | 2,449 |
| Total Votes | 19,444 | |
| Source: West Virginia Secretary of State, "Election Results Center," accessed May 10, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
Judges of the West Virginia Family Courts are each elected to six- and eight-year terms. Their initial term is six years and every subsequent term is eight years.[4] The elections for this court are nonpartisan contested elections. To serve on this court, a judge must be a state citizen, a circuit resident, at least 30 years of age and have five years of law practice in the state.[5]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ellen Smith for Judge, "About," accessed April 25, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ West Virginia Judiciary, "Family Courts," accessed September 25, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: West Virginia; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 3, 2014
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia
State courts:
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia • West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals • West Virginia Circuit Courts • West Virginia Family Courts • West Virginia Magistrate Courts • West Virginia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in West Virginia • West Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in West Virginia
