Judges appointed by Gavin Newsom
State Executive Offices |
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State Executive Analyses |
This page lists judges appointed by Gavin Newsom (D) during his term as Governor of California. As of today, the total number of Newsom appointees was 405. For the full profile of Newsom, click here.
Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population. Some California judges are outside of that coverage scope. As a result, this page does not provide an exhaustive list of all judges appointed by Gov. Newsom.
Appointment process
In California, vacancies are filled via gubernatorial appointment. Nominees to the supreme court and courts of appeal must be confirmed by the California Commission on Judicial Appointments. Appointed appellate judges stand for retention in the gubernatorial election following appointment; judges of the superior courts run for the seat in the next general election.[1]
Appointed judges
The tables below list the governor's appointees to the courts across the state. These lists are updated automatically with new appointments.
State Courts
Supreme Court
Name | Court | Active |
---|---|---|
California Supreme Court |
December 4, 2020 - Present |
|
California Supreme Court |
March 28, 2022 - January 2, 2023 |
|
California Supreme Court |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
|
California Supreme Court Chief Justice |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
Court of Appeals
Name | Court | Active |
---|---|---|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
January 30, 2024 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
February 14, 2025 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 2 |
May 14, 2024 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
August 30, 2021 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
October 13, 2021 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
January 21, 2020 - 2021 |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 4 |
August 10, 2022 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 5 |
2023 - Present |
|
California 1st District Court of Appeal Division 5 |
August 30, 2021 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
November 25, 2024 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
November 30, 2022 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 2 |
November 25, 2024 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
April 17, 2023 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
July 2, 2025 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 4 |
April 17, 2023 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 4 |
July 17, 2023 - July 2, 2025 |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 4 |
July 2, 2025 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 5 |
November 25, 2024 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 6 |
August 3, 2022 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 6 |
April 17, 2023 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 7 |
May 14, 2024 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 7 |
July 10, 2023 - Present |
|
California 2nd District Court of Appeal Division 8 |
November 30, 2022 - Present |
|
California 3rd District Court of Appeal |
January 30, 2024 - Present |
|
California 3rd District Court of Appeal |
August 4, 2022 - Present |
|
California 3rd District Court of Appeal |
January 6, 2022 - Present |
|
California 3rd District Court of Appeal |
March 20, 2023 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
January 14, 2021 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
May 27, 2022 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
April 7, 2023 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 1 |
April 7, 2023 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
February 14, 2025 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
June 23, 2023 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
January 6, 2022 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
June 16, 2022 - Present |
|
California 4th District Court of Appeal Division 3 |
October 11, 2022 - Present |
|
California 6th District Court of Appeal |
January 13, 2023 - Present |
|
California 6th District Court of Appeal |
August 30, 2021 - Present |
|
California 6th District Court of Appeal |
August 30, 2021 - Present |
Local Courts
Name | Court | Active |
---|---|---|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
February 24, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
||
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
||
Superior Court of Alameda County |
||
Superior Court of Alameda County |
||
Superior Court of Alameda County |
||
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2021 - January 2, 2023 |
|
Superior Court of Alameda County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Butte County |
2020 - January 2, 2023 |
|
Superior Court of Butte County |
||
Superior Court of Contra Costa County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Contra Costa County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Contra Costa County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of El Dorado County |
||
Superior Court of El Dorado County |
||
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
||
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
May 5, 2025 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Fresno County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
July 7, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Kern County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
July 15, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - June 2, 2023 |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
October 25, 2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
July 6, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
July 29, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - June 15, 2023 |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
December 11, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
September 6, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
August 12, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
||
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
May 5, 2025 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Los Angeles County |
May 5, 2025 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Madera County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Marin County |
December 11, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Merced County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Merced County |
2023 - October 5, 2023 |
|
Superior Court of Monterey County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Monterey County |
||
Superior Court of Monterey County |
April 17, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Napa County |
||
Superior Court of Napa County |
||
Superior Court of Nevada County |
November 27, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Orange County |
||
Superior Court of Orange County |
July 11, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Placer County |
||
Superior Court of Placer County |
||
Superior Court of Placer County |
June 20, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
||
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
September 3, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
July 9, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
September 3, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
September 3, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Riverside County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2021 - September 18, 2024 |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
May 7, 2025 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
January 31, 2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
||
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
||
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
May 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
March 25, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sacramento County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Benito County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
||
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
||
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
||
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
January 2, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Bernardino County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2020 - 2023 |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2020 - December 17, 2021 |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
May 7, 2025 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
June 30, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
June 17, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
June 9, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
June 16, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
||
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
March 30, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Diego County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
March 14, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Francisco County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
December 23, 2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
||
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
April 8, 2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
||
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
December 23, 2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Joaquin County |
||
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Mateo County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Mateo County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of San Mateo County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Barbara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Barbara County |
May 25, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Barbara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
April 7, 2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
||
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2020 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Clara County |
October 25, 2019 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Cruz County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Santa Cruz County |
||
Superior Court of Shasta County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Shasta County |
2023 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Siskiyou County |
March 25, 2022 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Solano County |
2024 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Sonoma County |
||
Superior Court of Sonoma County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Stanislaus County |
2021 - Present |
|
Superior Court of Stanislaus County |
||
Superior Court of Stanislaus County |
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Superior Court of Stanislaus County |
2024 - Present |
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Superior Court of Sutter County |
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Superior Court of Sutter County |
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Superior Court of Tulare County |
2023 - Present |
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Superior Court of Tulare County |
2023 - Present |
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Superior Court of Ventura County |
May 12, 2025 - Present |
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Superior Court of Ventura County |
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Superior Court of Yolo County |
2020 - Present |
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Superior Court of Yolo County |
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Superior Court of Yolo County |
2023 - Present |
Judicial selection process
- See also: Judicial selection in California
Judicial selection in California | |
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California Supreme Court | |
Method: | Gubernatorial appointment |
Term: | 12 years |
California Courts of Appeal | |
Method: | Gubernatorial appointment |
Term: | 12 years |
California Superior Courts | |
Method: | Nonpartisan election |
Term: | 6 years |
Judicial selection refers to the process used to select judges for courts. At the state level, methods of judicial selection vary substantially in the United States, and in some cases between different court types within a state. There are six primary types of judicial selection: partisan and nonpartisan elections, the Michigan method, assisted appointment, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. To read more about how these selection methods are used across the country, click here.
This article covers how state court judges are selected in California, including:
- California Supreme Court,
- California Courts of Appeal,
- California Superior Courts, and
- Limited jurisdiction courts
As of April 2025, California uses two different systems for its selection of state court judges. The state's appellate judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment—where the governor directly selects judges—followed by commission confirmation. Trial judges are elected by popular nonpartisan vote.[2]
Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Appellate state court selection in the United States, by general selection method[3] |
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State courts and their selection methods across the U.S., including the District of Columbia[3] | |||
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Method | Supreme Court (of 53)[4] | Courts of Appeal (of 46) | Trial Courts (of 147) |
Partisan elections (PE) | 8 | 6 | 39 |
Nonpartisan elections (NPE) | 13 | 16 | 34 |
Legislative elections (LE) | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Gubernatorial appointment of judges (GA) | 5 | 3 | 6 |
Assisted appointment (AA) | 22 | 18 | 46 |
Combination or other | 3[5] | 1[6] | 17[7] |
State profile
Demographic data for California | ||
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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...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: California," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Judicial Selection: An Interactive Map," accessed March 23, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection," archived February 2, 2015
- ↑ Both Oklahoma and Texas have two state supreme courts: one for civil matters and one for criminal matters.
- ↑ Michigan and Ohio use nonpartisan general elections with candidates selected through partisan primaries or conventions. In the District of Columbia, judges are selected in the same manner as federal judges.
- ↑ Judges of the North Dakota Court of Appeals are appointed on an as-needed basis by the supreme court justices.
- ↑ Most courts that use combination/alternative methods (for example, mayoral appointment) are local level courts. These courts are often governed by selection guidelines that are unique to their specific region.
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