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Diversity on state supreme courts

September 14, 2026

The Brennan Center for Justice has published its update on state supreme court diversity.  The report finds that “states have shown little progress with respect to racial, ethnic, gender, and professional diversity among state supreme court justices.”

California’s Supreme Court scores high in several respects, however.  It’s one of seven state courts with a majority of justices of color and one of 17 with a majority female bench.  The court is among 27 with at least one Black justice, 12 with at least one Asian justice, and 11 with at least one Latino justice.  It does not join the three state courts with at least one Native American justice.

Related:

“It’s time for Native judges, including on the California Supreme Court”

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