Merit Based Selection
The Judicial Nominating Commission interviews candidates and narrows that pool down to three individuals. The names of those three individuals are given to the governor, who then must choose one of the three to fill the judicial vacancy. The commission consists of the chief justice, three attorneys selected by members of the state bar association, and three lay members appointed by the governor. This merit based process, however, recognizes the importance of the voters having input into the process, so instead of partisan elections, the justices and judges stand for retention. Supreme Court justices must stand for retention every eight years, district and chancery court judges every six, and circuit court judges every four. The non-partisan, retention elections are a simple “yes” or “no” answer of whether the voter believes the justice or judge should be retained in office. Second, the amendment mandates that a justice or district court judge must retire when he or she reaches the age of 70. Finally, the amendment created the Judicial Supervisory Commission.
Contact Information:
Chief Justice’s Office
2301 Capitol Ave.
| Cheyenne, WY | 82002
Voice: 307.777.7571
| Email: jnc@courts.state.wy.us