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Florida Supreme Court Elections 2026

Florida 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 6 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 Florida?

Highest court
Florida Supreme Court — 7 justices
How chosen
Commission + appointment
Voters
Voters decide retention
Term
6 years (shorter first term)
To serve again
Yes/no retention vote
2026 ballot
1 seat on November 3 — 1 retention

How Florida chooses its judges

Florida 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 6 years.

  • Seats: 7 justices on the Florida Supreme Court.
  • Term: 6 years, after at least one year before the first retention vote.
  • To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
  • Age rule: Must retire at 75 (a justice past the midpoint of a term may finish it).
  • Other courts: District Courts of Appeal are appointed the same way; circuit and county judges are elected in nonpartisan races.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

Florida Supreme Court elections in 2026

1 seat is up in 2026 (retention votes).

Retention vote

Retention vote
  • Carlos MuñizIncumbent

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 Florida ballot

  • Your sample ballot: Florida’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
  • Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Florida — 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 Florida

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

Florida’s senators: Ashley Moody (Republican) and Rick Scott (Republican).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

Jeffrey T. Kuntz

District Judge for the Southern District of Florida · Jul 15, 2026 · Moody: Yea, Scott: Yea

51–46

District judges for courts in Florida 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

  • Middle District of Florida: seat of Timothy J. Corrigan (senior, Nov 2, 2024) — nominee Robert E. Long Jr., 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 Florida?

Florida 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 6 years. District Courts of Appeal are appointed the same way; circuit and county judges are elected in nonpartisan races.

How long is a term on the Florida Supreme Court?

6 years, after at least one year before the first retention vote. At the end of a term, they face yes/no retention votes to stay on the court. Must retire at 75 (a justice past the midpoint of a term may finish it).

Who is running for the Florida Supreme Court in 2026?

1 seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Retention: Carlos Muñiz, incumbent.

How do I research judges on my Florida ballot?

Your sample ballot from https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/voter-registration/ lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.

Who appoints federal judges in Florida?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Florida's senators, Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to Florida 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 Florida

Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.

Florida 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.