CalMatters’ update of its Voter Guide offers a reminder that — in addition to an initiative that would overturn a Supreme Court decision — some Supreme Court justices themselves will be on this November’s ballot.
Justices Joshua Groban and Kelli Evans will be on the ballot for “yes” or “no” votes whether they should remain on the court. Not in the Voter Guide is a mention that a third justice — a brand new one — could also be up for election this year if, as now appears unlikely, all of the following occurs in less than the next four weeks: Governor Newsom appoints someone to fill the court’s over-eight-month-long vacancy, the Commission on Judicial Appointments confirms the appointee, and the appointee is sworn in and files a declaration of candidacy. (See Cal. Constitution article VI, section 16(d).)
It’s deja vu for Justice Groban, who was elected just four years ago, but, because he was elected to an unexpired term that ends in January 2027, he will be on the ballot again next year, this time seeking a 12-year term of his own. This will be Justice Evans’s first time on the ballot, even though I think she should also have been on the ballot in 2022. Like Justice Groban, Justice Evans will be up for a 12-year term; the term to which she was appointed expires in January 2027.
Related:
Secretary of State info about Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices’ terms and elections is here
What’s taking so long? Some guesses about why the Supreme Court vacancy is still unfilled
A plea for the Governor to make a Supreme Court appointment
One year to Election Day for two or three Supreme Court justices
Legislation to cut back on elections of Supreme Court justices appears ended
The specter of more frequent “100-year floods”
“Thirty Years After a Hundred Year Flood: Judicial Elections and the Administration of Justice” (also here)
