How does a judge remain in office after a limited term ends?

In jurisdictions where judges serve for a limited term, they must be reelected or reappointed at the conclusion of that term to remain in office, provided they have not reached a mandatory retirement age.12

The specific process for continuing in office depends on the selection system:

• Reappointment or Reelection: In many systems with fixed terms, a judge must undergo the standard reappointment or reelection process to secure a new term.12
• Retention Ballots: Under the Missouri Plan, a judge who has completed a probationary period stands for a retention election. In this process, the judge does not run against an opponent; instead, voters decide whether the judge should be retained based on their record. The ballot typically asks, "Shall Judge X be retained?".12

These mechanisms are designed to balance the principles of judicial independence with democratic accountability.12