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Judicial Elections
Alabama Supreme Court Elections 2026
Alabama Supreme Court justices are chosen in partisan elections to 6-year terms and must run again to keep their seats. 2 seats are on the November 3 ballot.
Rules as of October 15, 2026 · candidates as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia
Are judges elected in Alabama?
- Highest court
- Alabama Supreme Court — 9 justices
- How chosen
- Partisan election
- Voters
- Voters elect justices
- Term
- 6 years
- To serve again
- Run for re-election
- 2026 ballot
- 2 seats on November 3 — 1 contested · 1 unopposed
How Alabama chooses its judges
Alabama Supreme Court justices are chosen in partisan elections to 6-year terms and must run again to keep their seats.
- Seats: 9 justices on the Alabama Supreme Court.
- Term: 6 years.
- To serve again: Run for re-election.
- Age rule: Must be under 70 when elected; a justice who turns 70 in office may finish the term.
- Other courts: Every court except municipal courts is filled by partisan election.
The chief justice is elected directly by voters to a full six-year term.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Alabama Supreme Court elections in 2026
2 seats are up in 2026 (partisan election).
Greg Shaw’s seat
On the Nov 3 ballot- Greg ShawIncumbentRepublican
- AshLeigh Meyer DunhamDemocrat
Brad Mendheim’s seat
Unopposed- Brad MendheimIncumbentRepublican
Candidates as of October 15, 2026 from Ballotpedia. Results for November races are added once certified.
How to research judges on your Alabama ballot
- Your sample ballot: Alabama’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Alabama — registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
- Candidate details: Ballotpedia tracks each candidate’s background, endorsements and spending; local news and the state bar often publish candidate surveys.
Judicial ethics rules bar candidates from promising how they will rule, so a judge’s record and experience usually say more than campaign ads. This site does not endorse or rate candidates.
Federal judges in Alabama
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Alabama’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Alabama’s senators: Tommy Tuberville (Republican) and Katie Britt (Republican).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in Alabama has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in Alabama and circuit judges from the state. Judges confirmed by voice vote leave no roll call; the Senate’s list of confirmed nominations has them. Roll calls from the snapshot refreshed Oct 1, 2026.
Open federal judgeships
- Northern District of Alabama: seat of R. David Proctor (senior, Jan 1, 2026) — nominee Gregory Carl Cook, nominated Jul 14, 2026.
Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are judges elected in Alabama?
Alabama Supreme Court justices are chosen in partisan elections to 6-year terms and must run again to keep their seats. Every court except municipal courts is filled by partisan election.
How long is a term on the Alabama Supreme Court?
6 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats. Must be under 70 when elected; a justice who turns 70 in office may finish the term.
Who is running for the Alabama Supreme Court in 2026?
2 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Greg Shaw’s seat: Greg Shaw (R), incumbent vs. AshLeigh Meyer Dunham (D). Brad Mendheim’s seat: Brad Mendheim (R), incumbent.
How do I research judges on my Alabama ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/register-to-vote lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in Alabama?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Alabama's senators, Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Related
Judicial Elections in Every State
How all 50 states choose judges, every 2026 supreme court race, and federal confirmations.
How to Vote in Alabama
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Alabama Senators & Representatives
Your delegation in Congress and when each term ends.
What Can Congress Do?
Can Congress declare war, override a veto, impeach a cabinet member, remove a senator, overrule the Supreme Court, or invoke the 25th Amendment? Question by question, with live vote math.