Maine judicial elections
The only judges in Maine that participate in judicial elections are those serving on the state's probate courts. The courts are also the only ones in the state that fall under the jurisdiction of the counties. Candidates compete in partisan elections, during even-numbered years. If a vacancy occurs in the middle of a judge's term, a judge will be appointed to serve until the next election. As specified in the Maine Constitution, newly elected judges for the probate court begin serving their term in January of the year after they are elected. Judges serve a term of four years, which expires on December 31. Judges must run for re-election in partisan elections for subsequent terms.[1][2] In order to serve as a probate judge, a candidate must be an attorney who lives in the state.[3]
Other judges in the state are selected by gubernatorial appointment and confirmed by the Maine Senate.
Maine is one of 11 states that uses partisan elections to select judges and does not use retention elections for subsequent terms. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
Elections
- Maine local trial court judicial elections, 2018
- Maine judicial elections, 2016
- Maine judicial elections, 2014
- Maine judicial elections, 2012
- Maine judicial elections, 2010
Election rules
Primary election
Candidates participate in partisan primary elections, with parties selecting one candidate who will compete in the general election. A candidate from each party will then move on to compete in the general election. Candidates who are unopposed in the primary must still appear on the general election ballot since write-in candidates are allowed for the general election.[4]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Maine Revised Statutes, "Title 4 Judiciary, Chapter 7 Probate Court, Subchapter 3 Judges, §301. Terms; vacancies; salary," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ Piscataquis County, Maine, "Probate Court," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ www.judicialselection.com, "Judicial Selection in Maine: Limited jurisdiction courts," accessed January 18, 2014
- ↑ Per e-mail received from Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions, Division of Elections & Administrative Procedure Act, Melissa K. Packard, Director of Elections and APA, received June 12, 2014.
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Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maine • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maine
State courts:
Maine Supreme Judicial Court • Maine Superior Court • Maine District Courts • Maine Family Division • Maine Small Claims Court • Maine Business and Consumer Court • Maine Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Maine • Maine judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maine
