What does a judicial nominating commission do under the Missouri Plan?

Under the Missouri Plan, a nonpartisan judicial nominating commission serves as a merit-based screening body for the judiciary. Its primary responsibilities include:12

• Screening Candidates: The commission evaluates individuals to identify those qualified for judicial office.1
• Submitting Nominees: It selects a limited number of candidates—typically three—and submits these names to the appointing authority, such as the governor, to fill a court vacancy.12

By vetting candidates before they reach the appointing authority, the commission aims to prioritize professional merit in the selection of a judge. Once an appointment is made from this list, the judge serves a probationary period before facing a nonpartisan retention election, where voters decide whether the judge should remain in office.12