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How Judges Are Chosen in New York

New York Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 14-year term.

Rules as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia

Are judges elected in New York?

Highest court
New York Court of Appeals — 7 judges
How chosen
Commission + appointment
Voters
Voters have no direct say
Term
14 years
To serve again
Reappointment
2026 ballot
No New York Court of Appeals seats in 2026

How New York chooses its judges

New York Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 14-year term.

  • Seats: 7 judges on the New York Court of Appeals.
  • Term: 14 years.
  • Confirmation: appointees must be approved by the State Senate.
  • To serve again: Reappointment.
  • Age rule: Must retire at the end of the year they turn 70.
  • Other courts: The state’s trial-level “Supreme Court” and county courts use partisan elections; Appellate Division justices are designated by the governor.

New York’s highest court is the Court of Appeals. Its “Supreme Court” is a trial court.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

Is the New York Court of Appeals on the 2026 ballot?

No. New York voters do not vote on the New York Court of Appeals: its judges are appointed, and they must be reappointed to serve another term.

Other judges can still be on your ballot. The state’s trial-level “Supreme Court” and county courts use partisan elections; Appellate Division justices are designated by the governor. Check your sample ballot for every judicial race where you live.

How to research judges on your New York ballot

  • Your sample ballot: New York’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
  • Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in New York — 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 York

Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. New York’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.

New York’s senators: Charles Schumer (Democratic) and Kirsten Gillibrand (Democratic).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

Matthew A. Schwartz

Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit · Jul 14, 2026 · Schumer: Nay, Gillibrand: Nay

50–45

District judges for courts in New York 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

  • Southern District of New York: seat of Valerie E. Caproni (senior, Jan 7, 2025) — no nominee yet.
  • Southern District of New York: seat of Lorna G. Schofield (senior, Dec 31, 2024) — no nominee yet.
  • Southern District of New York: seat of Cathy Seibel (senior, Nov 3, 2025) — 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 York?

New York Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 14-year term. The state’s trial-level “Supreme Court” and county courts use partisan elections; Appellate Division justices are designated by the governor.

How long is a term on the New York Court of Appeals?

14 years. At the end of a term, they must be reappointed to serve another term. Must retire at the end of the year they turn 70.

Is the New York Court of Appeals on the 2026 ballot?

No. New York voters do not vote on the New York Court of Appeals: its judges are appointed, and they must be reappointed to serve another term.

How do I research judges on my New York ballot?

Your sample ballot from https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingregister.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 New York?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. New York's senators, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to New York by recorded vote in 2026.

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