We elect judges in Minnesota because that is what our constitution provides. When a vacancy occurs during a judge’s term, the Minnesota Judicial Selection Committee goes through a merit selection process and recommends candidates to the Governor. The Governor then appoints one of the recommended candidates to fill the judicial seat. The appointed judge then must run for election in the next general election that is more than one year after their appointment.

The Minnesota State Constitution also says that judges “shall be elected from the area in which they serve.” That is why all Ramsey County District Court candidates must live in Ramsey County.

Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Judicial_selection_in_Minnesota

On the back, so be sure to Turn the Ballot Over – Vote for Judges!

You can see your sample ballot by going to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot

“The nonpartisan election of judges is a selection method where judges are chosen through elections where they are listed on the ballot without an indication of their political affiliation. If a primary election is held, it is not to narrow the candidates to one from each party. Instead, these primary elections typically narrow the field to two candidates for the general election.”

Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Nonpartisan_election_of_judges