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Judicial Elections
Supreme Court of Maryland Elections 2026
Supreme Court of Maryland justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, 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 Maryland?
- Highest court
- Supreme Court of Maryland — 7 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 Maryland chooses its judges
Supreme Court of Maryland justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 10 years.
- Seats: 7 justices on the Supreme Court of Maryland.
- Term: 10 years, after one year before the first retention vote.
- Confirmation: appointees must be approved by the State Senate.
- To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
- Age rule: Must retire at 70.
- Other courts: Appellate and trial judges are appointed with commission screening; Orphans’ Court judges are elected in partisan races.
Known as the Court of Appeals until voters renamed it in 2022.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Supreme Court of Maryland elections in 2026
1 seat is up in 2026 (retention votes).
4th Appellate Circuit
Retention vote- Peter K. KilloughIncumbent
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 Maryland ballot
- Your sample ballot: Maryland’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Maryland — 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 Maryland
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Maryland’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Maryland’s senators: Chris Van Hollen (Democratic) and Angela Alsobrooks (Democratic).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in Maryland has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland?
Supreme Court of Maryland justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 10 years. Appellate and trial judges are appointed with commission screening; Orphans’ Court judges are elected in partisan races.
How long is a term on the Supreme Court of Maryland?
10 years, after 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 70.
Who is running for the Supreme Court of Maryland in 2026?
1 seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 4th Appellate Circuit: Peter K. Killough, incumbent.
How do I research judges on my Maryland ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in Maryland?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Maryland's senators, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, 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 Maryland
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Maryland 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.