Why are few judges removed through retention elections?

Under the Missouri Plan, judges are subject to retention elections where they do not compete against other candidates. Instead, voters simply decide whether the judge should remain in office based on their previous record.12

Few judges are removed through these elections primarily because the process is designed to balance judicial independence with democratic accountability. By removing the competitive nature of traditional political contests, the system allows judges to focus on their legal duties rather than campaigning against opponents. Because they are not running against a challenger, there is often less organized political opposition, making it statistically rare for voters to cast a ballot against retaining a judge.2