VOTE411 Voter Guide

District Judge elections (also Supreme Court and Appellate Court)District Judges run for retention election in the same primary election as the Governor. Court of Appeals Judges and Supreme Court Justices have staggered terms. Any of these judges and justices may be challenged by a qualified attorney at their retention election.Retention election for a judge is a listing of the judge’s name with something like Shall this judge be retained? Yes or No.There are two Appellate Court Justices up for Retention in this election. They are not competing for a position. Vote Yes or No on each of them. We do not ask judicial candidates to respond to questionnaires because we have been told it is unethical for them to take a position on an issue which might come before them.In Idaho Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and District Judges are appointed by the governor from a list of 2 to 4 candidates screened by the Idaho Judicial Council. The Idaho Judicial Council members are a combination of attorneys, judges, and citizens appointed per Idaho Code 1-2101.When there is a judicial vacancy the Judicial Council announces to the Idaho State Bar and the general public that they are taking applications for the position. After the deadline has passed for the applications to come in, they conduct a background investigation of the applicants and send questionnaires to all attorneys in the Judicial District, for District Judges or statewide for Appeals Court or Supreme Court Justices. The Judicial Council then reviews the background checks and questionnaires and selects 2 to 4 finalists to send to the Governor for appointment to the position.General qualification are 2 years residency in Idaho immediately preceding application for the judgeship, 10 years licensed to practice law and 10 years practicing law and or holding judicial office.If people have concerns about the behavior of a judge, they may send a complaint to the Idaho Judicial Council for investigation and possible discipline. See the Idaho Judicial Council Rules of Procedure, available on line.