VOTE411 Voter Guide

Voters in Alfalfa, Blaine, Dewey, Garfield, Grant, Kingfisher, Major, Woods, and Woodward Counties are in the 4th Judicial District. District judges are elected every four years. Elections are non-partisan. Judges are not allowed to publicly discuss their party affiliation when running for a judicial office. District Court judges hear civil (unlimited jurisdiction), felony, probate and juvenile matters.The court is made up of:Presiding Judge – elected by the State District Court Judiciary to assist in the administration of the State’s trial courts. These judges represent different geographic areas and meet monthly with members of the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals to discuss trends, topics and developments that affect the administration of justice in OklahomaNine Associate District Judges - one representing each county. These judges are elected by the voters in each specific county.Three District Court Judges These judges are elected by all voters in each county of the judicial district in the General Election.Races that have only two candidates who file for the office will automatically advance to the General Election ballot.Races that have three or more candidates will appear on the Primary Ballot for their particular County. The two candidates with the most votes will advance to the General Election- Incumbent judges who seek to retain office file as candidates.- Judicial candidates who run unopposed are automatically elected to that judicial office.- There are no run-off elections for District Judge offices.- Salaries are established by the Board of Judicial Compensation, except when overturned by the Legislature. District Court Judges are employees of the State of Oklahoma.