On this page
Judicial Elections
Michigan Supreme Court Elections 2026
Michigan Supreme Court justices are nominated by political parties but elected on a ballot with no party labels, to 8-year terms. 2 seats are on the November 3 ballot.
Rules as of October 15, 2026 · candidates as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia
Are judges elected in Michigan?
- Highest court
- Michigan Supreme Court — 7 justices
- How chosen
- Party nomination, nonpartisan ballot
- Voters
- Voters elect justices
- Term
- 8 years
- To serve again
- Run for re-election
- 2026 ballot
- 2 seats on November 3 — 2 contested
How Michigan chooses its judges
Michigan Supreme Court justices are nominated by political parties but elected on a ballot with no party labels, to 8-year terms.
- Seats: 7 justices on the Michigan Supreme Court.
- Term: 8 years.
- To serve again: Run for re-election.
- Age rule: Must be under 70 when elected.
- Other courts: All other courts use nonpartisan elections.
Parties nominate candidates at conventions, but the November ballot shows no party labels — only incumbency.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Michigan Supreme Court elections in 2026
2 seats are up in 2026 (party-nominated candidates on a nonpartisan ballot).
Two seats
On the Nov 3 ballot- Megan CavanaghIncumbent
- Noah HoodIncumbent
- Thomas Howe
- Casandra Morse-Bills
- Michael D. Warren Jr.
- Jody White
The top 2 vote-getters win.
All six candidates appear together on one ballot line.
Ballotpedia files Michigan under partisan because parties nominate the candidates; the ballot itself shows no party labels.
Candidates as of October 15, 2026 from Ballotpedia. Results for November races are added once certified.
How to research judges on your Michigan ballot
- Your sample ballot: Michigan’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Michigan — 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 Michigan
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Michigan’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Michigan’s senators: Elissa Slotkin (Democratic) and Gary Peters (Democratic).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
| Judge | Court | Date | Vote | Slotkin | Peters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael C. Martin | District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan | Jul 22, 2026 | 62–36 | Yea | Yea |
District judges for courts in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan?
Michigan Supreme Court justices are nominated by political parties but elected on a ballot with no party labels, to 8-year terms. All other courts use nonpartisan elections.
How long is a term on the Michigan Supreme Court?
8 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats. Must be under 70 when elected.
Who is running for the Michigan Supreme Court in 2026?
2 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Two seats: Megan Cavanagh, incumbent vs. Noah Hood, incumbent vs. Thomas Howe vs. Casandra Morse-Bills vs. Michael D. Warren Jr. vs. Jody White.
How do I research judges on my Michigan ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in Michigan?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Michigan's senators, Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to Michigan 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 Michigan
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Michigan 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.