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Judicial Elections
Oklahoma Supreme Court Elections 2026
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 6 years. 5 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 Oklahoma?
- Highest court
- Oklahoma Supreme Court and Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals — 9 + 5 justices
- How chosen
- Commission + appointment
- Voters
- Voters decide retention
- Term
- 6 years (shorter first term)
- To serve again
- Yes/no retention vote
- 2026 ballot
- 5 seats on November 3 — 5 retention
How Oklahoma chooses its judges
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 6 years.
- Seats: 9 justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court; 5 on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, which hears criminal appeals.
- Term: 6 years, after at least one year before the first retention vote.
- To serve again: Yes/no retention vote.
- Other courts: District judges are elected in nonpartisan races.
One of two states with two courts of last resort: civil cases go to the Supreme Court, criminal cases to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Oklahoma Supreme Court elections in 2026
5 seats are up in 2026 (retention votes).
Supreme Court · District 1
Retention vote- M. John Kane IVIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
Supreme Court · District 4
Retention vote- Travis JettIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
Supreme Court · District 6
Retention vote- Dana KuehnIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
Supreme Court · District 9
Retention vote- Richard DarbyIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
Court of Criminal Appeals · District 2
Retention vote- Rob HudsonIncumbent
Voters answer yes or no on keeping this justice. There is no opponent.
A sixth seat, Court of Criminal Appeals District 3, was due for retention, but that election was canceled.
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 Oklahoma ballot
- Your sample ballot: Oklahoma’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Oklahoma — 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 Oklahoma
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Oklahoma’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Oklahoma’s senators: Alan Armstrong (Republican) and James Lankford (Republican).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in Oklahoma has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in Oklahoma 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
- Eastern District of Oklahoma: seat of Ronald A. White (senior, Jan 27, 2026) — nominee Zachary Paul West, nominated Sep 14, 2026.
- Northern District of Oklahoma: seat of Gregory K. Frizzell (senior, Mar 1, 2025) — nominee Trevor Scott Pemberton, 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 Oklahoma?
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission, then face voters in yes/no retention elections every 6 years. District judges are elected in nonpartisan races.
How long is a term on the Oklahoma Supreme Court?
6 years, after at least one year before the first retention vote. At the end of a term, they face yes/no retention votes to stay on the court.
Who is running for the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2026?
5 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Supreme Court District 1: M. John Kane IV, incumbent. Supreme Court District 4: Travis Jett, incumbent. Supreme Court District 6: Dana Kuehn, incumbent. Supreme Court District 9: Richard Darby, incumbent. Court of Criminal Appeals District 2: Rob Hudson, incumbent.
How do I research judges on my Oklahoma ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote.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 Oklahoma?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Oklahoma's senators, Alan Armstrong and James Lankford, 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 Oklahoma
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Oklahoma 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.