Your source for State Supreme Court information.

A state supreme court is the highest court in any given state. Every state has its own supreme court, which is the final arbiter of state law. State Supreme Courts often hear appeals from lower state courts. The number of justices, the name, and the purview of the court vary by state.

State supreme court justices interpret the state’s constitution and make final decisions on how state laws are applied. They also serve as the final step in the appellate process, hearing cases from lower courts to determine whether judges applied the law accurately and fairly.

Unlike U.S. Supreme Court justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, voters in 38 states elect their supreme court justices through popular vote or retention elections. In states without supreme court elections, special committees, the governor, and/or the state legislature can select and appoint justices.

From abortion to voting rights to education, state supreme courts often act as the final backstop to uphold our rights. State supreme court justices wield significant power and, in most states, their unique position as elected officials gives voters a seat at the bench

Because they only hear cases involving state law, state supreme courts operate independently of the U.S. Supreme Court. However, in certain circumstances where state and federal law conflict, the U.S. Supreme Court can overturn or uphold a state supreme court’s decision. This has happened recently in cases involving voting rights and abortion rights.

Whether state supreme court justices represent or are nominated by a political party depends on state law. Eight states, including North Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, hold partisan elections for their supreme court justices, in which candidates are affiliated with a political party. Some states, like Michigan, have nonpartisan elections, but political parties officially nominate candidates they support.

The Justice Project is a nonpartisan organization that seeks to educate voters through reliable information and help them make informed decisions at the ballot box. State Supreme Courts are the final backstop for interpreting laws and upholding our rights. We believe voters deserve accurate information.