Author: Ellie Mikus

  • Ballotpedia releases the state supreme court vacancies count for 2024

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    Twenty state supreme court justices vacated their seats before their term was scheduled to end in 2024. Of the 20 vacancies, 17 were caused by justices retiring, and three were caused by justices ascending to the chief justice position of the court. This is the first year since Ballotpedia started tracking state supreme court vacancies…

  • Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for January 2025

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    In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from December 2, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 39 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 4.5%,…

  • Biden has appointed 235 federal judges through January 1 of his fourth year

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    President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the Senate has confirmed 235 Article III federal judges through January 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the most Article III judicial appointments confirmed through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The Senate had confirmed 234 of President Donald Trump’s (R)…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for December 2024

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    In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from December 1 to December 30, 2024. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: Following an unsuccessful November 2024 retention election, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger announced she would retire on December 1, 2024.…

  • Ballotpedia adds special elections to state supreme court vacancy coverage

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    Ballotpedia now includes vacancies filled by special elections in our state supreme court vacancy coverage. In 2024, there has been one retirement from a state supreme court, resulting in a vacancy that will be filled by a special election occurring in 2025. Louisiana: On August 4, 2024, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese (R) stepped…

  • President Biden has appointed 221 federal judges through December 1 of his fourth year

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    President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the U.S. Senate has confirmed 221 Article III federal judges through December 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the second-most Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The average number of federal judges appointed by previous presidents…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for November 2024

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    In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from November 2, 2024, to November 30, 2024. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: No justices retired from office or announced an upcoming retirement during November 2024. Candidates nominated,…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for October 2024

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    In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from October 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: In October 2024, one justice resigned. Robert Brutinel stepped down from the Arizona Supreme Court…

  • President Biden has appointed 213 federal judges through November 1 of his fourth year

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    President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the Senate has confirmed 213 Article III federal judges through November 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the second-most Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The average number of federal judges appointed by previous presidents through…

  • President Biden has appointed 213 federal judges through October 1 of his fourth year

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    President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the Senate has confirmed 213 Article III federal judges through October 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the second-most Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The average number of federal judges appointed by previous presidents through…