Nebraska Supreme Court elections
There are seven justices on the Nebraska Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the Nebraska judicial elections page.
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Nebraska
The seven justices on the Nebraska Supreme Court are selected through the assisted appointment method. The governor appoints each new justice from a list of at least two qualified nominees assembled by a judicial nominating commission.[1][2] There are separate judicial nominating commissions for each supreme court district, as well as the chief justiceship. Each commission is made up of nine members. Members of the Nebraska State Bar Association select four lawyers and the governor appoints four nonlawyers. The ninth member is a supreme court justice who serves as chairman but does not vote.[2][3]
Justices must run in a yes-no retention election during the first general election occurring after they have been on the court for three years. Subsequent terms last six years.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on the Nebraska Supreme Court, a person must:
- be at least 30 years old;
- be a U.S. citizen;
- have practiced law in Nebraska for at least five years;
- be a member of the state bar; and
- be a resident of the judicial district for which they are being appointed.[5]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the supreme court is selected through the same assisted appointment method as other justices on the court and serves in that role for the duration of his or her time on the court.[6]
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs on the Nebraska Supreme Court, a judicial nominating commission submits the names of at least two qualified nominees to the governor, who appoints one to fill the vacancy. If the governor does not appoint one of the nominees within 60 days, the chief justice of the supreme court is authorized to select a new judge.[4]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
Elections
2024
- See also: Nebraska Supreme Court elections, 2024
District 1
General election
General election for Nebraska Supreme Court District 1
Incumbent Stephanie Stacy won election in the general election for Nebraska Supreme Court District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Stephanie Stacy (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 89,834 |
| Total votes: 89,834 | |||
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2022
- See also: Nebraska Supreme Court elections, 2022
The terms of four Nebraska Supreme Court justices expired on January 5, 2023. The four seats were up for retention election on November 8, 2022. Judicial officeholders had until August 1, 2022, to file for retention.[7]
Candidates and results
Chief Justice: Heavican's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice, Michael Heavican's seat
Michael Heavican was retained to Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 8, 2022 with 71.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
71.3
|
375,342 | ||
No |
28.7
|
151,269 | |||
Total Votes |
526,611 | ||||
|
|
District 3: Cassel's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court District 3, William Cassel's seat
William Cassel was retained to District 3 of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 8, 2022 with 72.4% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
72.4
|
67,276 | ||
No |
27.6
|
25,648 | |||
Total Votes |
92,924 | ||||
|
|
District 4: Papik's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court District 4, Jonathan Papik's seat
Jonathan Papik was retained to District 4 of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 8, 2022 with 66.9% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
66.9
|
53,844 | ||
No |
33.1
|
26,586 | |||
Total Votes |
80,430 | ||||
|
|
District 6: Freudenberg's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court District 6, John Freudenberg's seat
John Freudenberg was retained to District 6 of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 8, 2022 with 76.2% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
76.2
|
67,676 | ||
No |
23.8
|
21,172 | |||
Total Votes |
88,848 | ||||
|
|
2020
- See also: Nebraska Supreme Court elections, 2020
The terms of two Nebraska Supreme Court justices expired on January 7, 2021. The two seats were up for retention election on November 3, 2020.
Candidates and results
District 2: Miller-Lerman's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court District 2, Miller-Lerman's seat
Lindsey Miller-Lerman was retained to District 2 of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 3, 2020 with 74.2% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
74.2
|
93,025 | ||
No |
25.8
|
32,350 | |||
Total Votes |
125,375 | ||||
|
|
District 5: Funke's seat
Nebraska Supreme Court District 5, Funke's seat
Jeffrey Funke was retained to District 5 of the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 3, 2020 with 78.8% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
78.8
|
93,418 | ||
No |
21.2
|
25,152 | |||
Total Votes |
118,570 | ||||
|
|
2018
- See also: Nebraska Supreme Court elections, 2018
Candidates and results
District 1: Stacy's seat
General election candidates
- Stephanie Stacy (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
2016
Justices who faced retention
Election results
November 8 general election
Michael Heavican was retained with 73.37% of the vote.
| Nebraska Supreme Court, Heavican's seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
 Michael Heavican | 73.37% | |
| Source: Nebraska Secretary of State Official Results | ||
John Wright was retained in the Nebraska Supreme Court, Wright's seat election with 75.61% of the vote.
| Nebraska Supreme Court, Wright's seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
| John Wright | 75.61% | |
| Source: Nebraska Secretary of State Official Results | ||
William Cassel was retained with 72.65% of the vote.
| Nebraska Supreme Court, Cassel's seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
| William Cassel | 72.65% | |
| Source: Nebraska Secretary of State Official Results | ||
2014
Retention
| Judge | Election Vote |
|---|---|
| Lindsey Miller-Lerman | 68.4%  |
2012
| Candidate | Incumbent | Retention vote: | Retention Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Stephan | Yes | 77.57% | |
| Michael McCormack | Yes | 70.36% |
2010
- See also: 2010 State Supreme Court elections
William Connolly was retained.
| Nebraska Supreme Court 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| William Connolly
|
n/a | n/a | ||
John Gerrard was retained.
| Nebraska Supreme Court 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| John Gerrard
|
n/a | n/a | ||
John Wright was retained.
| Nebraska Supreme Court 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| John Wright
|
n/a | n/a | ||
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection in the States: Nebraska | Overview," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection in the States: Nebraska | Judicial Nominating Commissions," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "Nebraska State Constitution Article V-21," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Branch Overview," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "Nebraska Revised Statute 24-202," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Nebraska," accessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "2022 Official Election Calendar," accessed November 4, 2021
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nebraska • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nebraska
State courts:
Nebraska Supreme Court • Nebraska Court of Appeals • Nebraska District Courts • Nebraska County Courts • Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts • Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court • Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts
State resources:
Courts in Nebraska • Nebraska judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nebraska
