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Judicial Elections
Kentucky Supreme Court Elections 2026
Kentucky Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. 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 Kentucky?
- Highest court
- Kentucky Supreme Court — 7 justices
- How chosen
- Nonpartisan election
- Voters
- Voters elect justices
- Term
- 8 years
- To serve again
- Run for re-election
- 2026 ballot
- 1 seat on November 3 — 1 unopposed
How Kentucky chooses its judges
Kentucky Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats.
- Seats: 7 justices on the Kentucky Supreme Court.
- Term: 8 years.
- To serve again: Run for re-election.
- Districts: justices are elected from regions of the state, not statewide.
- Other courts: All courts use nonpartisan elections.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Kentucky Supreme Court elections in 2026
1 seat is up in 2026 (nonpartisan election).
3rd District
Unopposed- Debra Hembree LambertIncumbent
Only one candidate filed, so the May primary was not held.
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 Kentucky ballot
- Your sample ballot: Kentucky’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Kentucky — 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 Kentucky
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Kentucky’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Kentucky’s senators: Rand Paul (Republican) and Mitch McConnell (Republican).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in Kentucky has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in Kentucky 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
- Eastern District of Kentucky: seat of Gregory F. Van Tatenhove (retired, Jul 19, 2026) — nominee Daniel Lewis Ballou, 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. All courts use nonpartisan elections.
How long is a term on the Kentucky Supreme Court?
8 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats.
Who is running for the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2026?
1 seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 3rd District: Debra Hembree Lambert, incumbent.
How do I research judges on my Kentucky ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Registration.aspx lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in Kentucky?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Kentucky's senators, Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, 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 Kentucky
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Kentucky 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.