What this office does: Wyoming does not elect judges through partisan races. Judges are appointed based on merit. After they have served for a period of time, voters decide in nonpartisan retention elections whether a judge or justice should stay in office.
Why it matters: Judges make decisions about criminal cases, family law, civil disputes, and the interpretation of the law. Retention votes allow us a direct check in Wyoming’s merit-selection system.
Where to learn more: The Wyoming State Bar releases a Judicial Performance Assessment before each election cycle.