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Wyoming judicial elections
Judges in Wyoming stand in retention elections that occur during the November general election. Judicial elections only take place in even-numbered years in the state.
Wyoming is one of six states that use retention elections to determine whether judges should remain on the bench without using another type of election as an initial selection method. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
| Supreme Court | District Court | Circuit Court |
|---|---|---|
| Retention election - Eight-year terms | Retention election - Six-year terms | Retention election - Four-year terms |
Elections
- Wyoming Supreme Court elections, 2024
- Wyoming Supreme Court elections, 2020
- Wyoming local trial court judicial elections, 2018
- Wyoming judicial elections, 2016
- Wyoming judicial elections, 2014
- Wyoming judicial elections, 2012
- Wyoming judicial elections, 2010
Election rules
Retention election
In retention elections, judges do not compete against another candidate, but voters are given a "yes" or "no" choice whether to keep the justice in office for another term. Candidates must win a majority of the vote for retention. If a candidate fails to file a declaration of candidacy before the deadline, or does not receive a majority of "yes" votes, a vacancy is created at the expiration of that term.[1]
Filing deadline
Justices and judges must file a declaration of candidacy in the window between six months before the general election and three months before the general election.[1]
Fees
Supreme court justices, district court, and circuit court judges do not pay a filing fee.[2]
History
From 1890 to 1972, Wyoming supreme court justices and district court judges were elected by the people. The constitutional amendment in 1972 replaced the elections with the current system, wherein judges are nominated by a judicial nominating commission, appointed by the governor, and participate in retention elections after at least one year in office. This process was expanded to include circuit court judges in 1977.[3]
See also
External links
- Wyoming Judicial Branch website
- American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming," archived October 6, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "Constitution of the State of Wyoming, Article V, Section 4," accessed April 28, 2014
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State, "2014 Judicial Declaration of Intent form," March, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "History of Reform Efforts: Wyoming," archived October 6, 2014
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Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Wyoming • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Wyoming
State courts:
Wyoming Supreme Court • Wyoming District Courts • Wyoming Circuit Courts • Wyoming Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wyoming • Wyoming judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wyoming
