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North Dakota Supreme Court Elections 2026

North Dakota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 10-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. 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 North Dakota?

Highest court
North Dakota Supreme Court — 5 justices
How chosen
Nonpartisan election
Voters
Voters elect justices
Term
10 years
To serve again
Run for re-election
2026 ballot
2 seats on November 3 — 1 contested · 1 unopposed

How North Dakota chooses its judges

North Dakota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 10-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats.

  • Seats: 5 justices on the North Dakota Supreme Court.
  • Term: 10 years.
  • To serve again: Run for re-election.
  • Other courts: District courts use nonpartisan elections.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

North Dakota Supreme Court elections in 2026

2 seats are up in 2026 (nonpartisan election).

Jerod Tufte’s seat

On the Nov 3 ballot
  • Jerod TufteIncumbent
  • Ariston Johnson

Douglas Bahr’s seat (special election)

Unopposed
  • Douglas BahrIncumbent

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 North Dakota ballot

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

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

North Dakota’s senators: John Hoeven (Republican) and Kevin Cramer (Republican).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

Daniel Mack Traynor

Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit · Jul 23, 2026 · Hoeven: Yea, Cramer: Yea

48–47

District judges for courts in North Dakota 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 North Dakota: seat of Daniel Mack Traynor (elevated, Jul 23, 2026) — nominee Philip Axt, nominated Sep 14, 2026.

Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are judges elected in North Dakota?

North Dakota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 10-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. District courts use nonpartisan elections.

How long is a term on the North Dakota Supreme Court?

10 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats.

Who is running for the North Dakota Supreme Court in 2026?

2 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Jerod Tufte’s seat: Jerod Tufte, incumbent vs. Ariston Johnson. Douglas Bahr’s seat: Douglas Bahr, incumbent.

How do I research judges on my North Dakota ballot?

Your sample ballot from https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.

Who appoints federal judges in North Dakota?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. North Dakota's senators, John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to North Dakota 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 North Dakota

Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.

North Dakota 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.