Skip to content
Congress Countdown
Map
On this page

Judicial Elections

Alaska Supreme Court Elections 2026

Alaska Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 10 years. 1 seat is on the November 3 ballot.

Rules as of October 15, 2026 · candidates as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia

Are judges elected in Alaska?

Highest court
Alaska Supreme Court — 5 justices
How chosen
Commission + appointment
Voters
Voters decide retention
Term
10 years (shorter first term)
To serve again
Yes/no retention vote
2026 ballot
1 seat on November 3 — 1 retention

How Alaska chooses its judges

Alaska Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 10 years.

  • Seats: 5 justices on the Alaska Supreme Court.
  • Term: 10 years, after at least three years before the first retention vote.
  • To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
  • Age rule: Must be under 70.
  • Other courts: All courts use the same commission-and-retention system.

The Alaska Judicial Council screens applicants and sends the governor two or more names.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

Alaska Supreme Court elections in 2026

1 seat is up in 2026 (retention votes).

Retention vote

Retention vote
  • Jude PateIncumbent

Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.

Candidates as of October 15, 2026 from Ballotpedia. Results for November races are added once certified. Party labels are not shown because they do not appear on the ballot.

How to research judges on your Alaska ballot

  • Official evaluations: Alaska Judicial Council — the state’s official reviews of judges facing voters.
  • Your sample ballot: Alaska’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
  • Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Alaska — 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 Alaska

Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Alaska’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.

Alaska’s senators: Dan Sullivan (Republican) and Lisa Murkowski (Republican).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

Aaron Christian Peterson

District Judge for the District of Alaska · Feb 4, 2026 · Sullivan: Yea, Murkowski: Yea

58–39

District judges for courts in Alaska 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

  • District of Alaska: seat of Joshua M. Kindred (resigned, Jul 8, 2024) — nominee Kyle Frederick Reardon, nominated Sep 14, 2026.

Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are judges elected in Alaska?

Alaska Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 10 years. All courts use the same commission-and-retention system.

How long is a term on the Alaska Supreme Court?

10 years, after at least three years before the first retention vote. At the end of a term, they face yes/no retention votes to stay on the court. Must be under 70.

Who is running for the Alaska Supreme Court in 2026?

1 seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Retention: Jude Pate, incumbent.

How do I research judges on my Alaska ballot?

Start with the Alaska Judicial Council, the state's official judicial performance evaluation program (https://ajc.alaska.gov/retention/current2026.html). Your sample ballot from https://www.elections.alaska.gov/voter-information/#Reg lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.

Who appoints federal judges in Alaska?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Alaska's senators, Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to Alaska by recorded vote in 2026.

Related

Judicial Elections in Every State

How all 50 states choose judges, every 2026 supreme court race, and federal confirmations.

How to Vote in Alaska

Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.

Alaska 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.