Why do some U.S. states elect judges?

In the United States, the election of judges is a method used by many states to balance the principles of democratic accountability with judicial independence.1

While federal judges are appointed, various states have adopted popular election systems to ensure that the judiciary remains responsive to the public. These elections can take different forms:1

• Partisan Elections: Judges run as candidates for political parties, often involving traditional political campaigning.1
• Nonpartisan Elections: Candidates appear on the ballot without party affiliation.1
• Retention Elections: Under systems like the Missouri Plan, judges are initially appointed and subsequently face a retention ballot. In this process, voters decide whether to keep the judge in office based on their record rather than competing against other candidates.21

These diverse approaches reflect an ongoing effort to maintain public control over judicial selection while navigating the inherent tensions between political influence and the need for an impartial legal system.1