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Judicial Elections
How Judges Are Chosen in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Executive Council, and serve until the mandatory retirement age.
Rules as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia
Are judges elected in New Hampshire?
- Highest court
- New Hampshire Supreme Court — 5 justices
- How chosen
- Governor appoints
- Voters
- Voters have no direct say
- Term
- No fixed term
- To serve again
- Serve to age limit or for life
- 2026 ballot
- No New Hampshire Supreme Court seats in 2026
How New Hampshire chooses its judges
New Hampshire Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Executive Council, and serve until the mandatory retirement age.
- Seats: 5 justices on the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
- Term: no fixed term.
- Confirmation: appointees must be approved by the Executive Council.
- To serve again: Serve to age limit or for life.
- Age rule: Serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.
- Other courts: Trial judges are appointed the same way and serve to 70.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Is the New Hampshire Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?
No — and no other judge is either. New Hampshire fills every court by appointment, so judges never appear on the ballot.
Following judicial appointments in New Hampshire
With no judicial elections, the public’s say runs through the officials who choose judges: the governor who appoints them and the Executive Council, which must approve each appointment. Full details, including how vacancies are filled, are on Ballotpedia’s New Hampshire judicial selection page.
For everything else on your ballot, see how to vote in New Hampshire.
Federal judges in New Hampshire
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. New Hampshire’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
New Hampshire’s senators: Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic) and Margaret Hassan (Democratic).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in New Hampshire has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Executive Council, and serve until the mandatory retirement age. Trial judges are appointed the same way and serve to 70.
How long is a term on the New Hampshire Supreme Court?
There is no fixed term. Serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Is the New Hampshire Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?
No. New Hampshire voters do not vote on the New Hampshire Supreme Court: its justices are appointed, and they serve until the mandatory retirement age.
Are any judges on the New Hampshire ballot?
No. New Hampshire fills every court by appointment, so no judge appears on the ballot.
Who appoints federal judges in New Hampshire?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. New Hampshire's senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Margaret Hassan, 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 New Hampshire
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
New Hampshire 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.