Retention Election Information

Why do judges appear on the ballot?

The Alaska Constitution requires a vote of the people for sitting judges to be retained in office. Judges appear on the ballot at the general election in even-numbered years; this is referred to as a “retention election” or a “judicial retention election.” A majority of votes determines whether a judge remains in office for another term.

Judicial retention elections are non-partisan. Judges standing for retention do not run “against” anyone; instead, they run to retain their positions, based on their performance in office. Judges are not allowed to campaign unless someone actively opposes their bid to stay in office.

How do I know whether the judges on the ballot are doing a good job?

To give voters information about judges’ performance, state law requires the Judicial Council to evaluate each judge on the ballot, to make this information available to voters, and authorizes the Judicial Council to provide a recommendation regarding retention or rejection. The Judicial Council has developed a process to fairly and accurately evaluate each judge's performance and report back to you. Judicial evaluations collect information about the judge’s performance and from people who are familiar with the judge's work, including jurors, police officers, court staff, lawyers, social services professionals, and litigants. The Council then uses this information to determine whether the judge met performance standards and to make a recommendation whether the judge should be retained in office.

Judges on the 2026 Ballot