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Judicial Elections
New Mexico Supreme Court Elections 2026
New Mexico Supreme Court justices are first chosen in partisan elections, then keep their seats through yes/no retention elections every 8 years. 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 New Mexico?
- Highest court
- New Mexico Supreme Court — 5 justices
- How chosen
- Partisan election
- Voters
- Voters elect justices
- Term
- 8 years
- To serve again
- Yes/no retention vote
- 2026 ballot
- 2 seats on November 3 — 2 retention
How New Mexico chooses its judges
New Mexico Supreme Court justices are first chosen in partisan elections, then keep their seats through yes/no retention elections every 8 years.
- Seats: 5 justices on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
- Term: 8 years.
- To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
- Other courts: Appellate and district judges are also elected in partisan races, then retained.
After winning one partisan election, a justice needs at least 57% “yes” in each retention election to stay.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
New Mexico Supreme Court elections in 2026
2 seats are up in 2026 (retention votes).
Retention vote
Retention vote- David K. ThomsonIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
Retention vote
Retention vote- Shannon BaconIncumbent
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 New Mexico ballot
- Official evaluations: Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission — the state’s official reviews of judges facing voters.
- Your sample ballot: New Mexico’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in New Mexico — 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 New Mexico
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. New Mexico’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
New Mexico’s senators: Ben Luján (Democratic) and Martin Heinrich (Democratic).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in New Mexico has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in New Mexico 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
- District of New Mexico: seat of James O. Browning (senior, Feb 1, 2026) — no nominee yet.
Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are judges elected in New Mexico?
New Mexico Supreme Court justices are first chosen in partisan elections, then keep their seats through yes/no retention elections every 8 years. Appellate and district judges are also elected in partisan races, then retained.
How long is a term on the New Mexico Supreme Court?
8 years. At the end of a term, they face yes/no retention votes to stay on the court.
Who is running for the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2026?
2 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Retention: David K. Thomson, incumbent. Retention: Shannon Bacon, incumbent.
How do I research judges on my New Mexico ballot?
Start with the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, the state's official judicial performance evaluation program (https://nmjpec.org/en/). Your sample ballot from https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voting-faqs/voter-registration/ lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in New Mexico?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. New Mexico's senators, Ben Luján and Martin Heinrich, 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 Mexico
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
New Mexico 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.