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How Judges Are Chosen in Indiana

Indiana 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.

Rules as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia

Are judges elected in Indiana?

Highest court
Indiana 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
No Indiana Supreme Court seats in 2026

How Indiana chooses its judges

Indiana 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 Indiana Supreme Court.
  • Term: 10 years, after at least two years before the first retention vote.
  • To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
  • Age rule: Must retire at 75.
  • Other courts: The Court of Appeals is appointed the same way; most trial judges are elected in partisan races.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

Is the Indiana Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?

No Indiana Supreme Court seat is up in 2026. Justices here face retention votes on a staggered schedule, so the next one comes in a later year.

Other judges can still be on your ballot. The Court of Appeals is appointed the same way; most trial judges are elected in partisan races. Check your sample ballot for every judicial race where you live.

How to research judges on your Indiana ballot

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

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

Indiana’s senators: Todd Young (Republican) and Jim Banks (Republican).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

Justin R. Olson

District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana · Feb 5, 2026 · Young: Yea, Banks: Yea

50–47

District judges for courts in Indiana 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

The U.S. Courts list no vacant district judgeship in Indiana as of October 15, 2026.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are judges elected in Indiana?

Indiana 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. The Court of Appeals is appointed the same way; most trial judges are elected in partisan races.

How long is a term on the Indiana Supreme Court?

10 years, after at least two years 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.

Is the Indiana Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?

No Indiana Supreme Court seat is up in 2026. Trial and appellate judges may still be on your local ballot — check your sample ballot.

How do I research judges on my Indiana ballot?

Your sample ballot from https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2403.htm lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.

Who appoints federal judges in Indiana?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Indiana's senators, Todd Young and Jim Banks, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to Indiana 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 Indiana

Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.

Indiana 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.