California voters will decide in November 2026 whether sitting Supreme Court justices stay on the bench for another 12‑year term.
Key points
- California Supreme Court justices are subject to retention elections, not traditional partisan races.
- The court’s duties span appellate review, death‑penalty oversight, utility commission appeals, and judicial discipline.
- An associate justice’s salary is $304,555 per year, and a majority “yes” vote extends the justice’s term by 12 years.
The 2026 California midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, will include retention votes for members of the state’s highest court, according to KPBS. Unlike typical partisan contests, these ballots ask voters a simple yes‑or‑no question about each justice’s continued service.
KPBS explains that the California Supreme Court’s primary responsibilities include reviewing appellate court decisions, addressing unresolved questions of state law, and overseeing all death‑penalty sentences handed down in California. The court also hears appeals from the Public Utilities Commission and reviews disciplinary recommendations for judges and attorneys from the Commission on Judicial Performance and the State Bar.
Duties of the California Supreme Court
An associate justice on the California Supreme Court earns an annual salary of $304,555, as reported by KPBS. This figure reflects the compensation set for the state’s top judicial officers.
Justices are initially appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. After appointment, voters decide whether to retain each justice either at the first gubernatorial election following the appointment or when the justice’s 12‑year term expires, a process designed to increase public accountability, KPBS notes.
Compensation for Justices
If a majority of voters answer “yes,” the justice secures another 12‑year term; a “no” vote removes the justice from the bench and triggers a new gubernatorial appointment, according to the same source. The outcome directly shapes the composition of California’s highest court for the next decade.
Reader questions
What does a 'yes' vote mean in a California Supreme Court retention election?
A majority of ‘yes’ votes keeps the justice on the bench for another 12‑year term, as explained by KPBS.
How are California Supreme Court justices initially selected?
Justices are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments before facing a retention vote, per KPBS.
Source: kpbs.org