Arizona is a unique state when it comes to how we put judges in power.
Judges on the highest courts—the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Court of Appeals—are chosen by the governor.
However, the public gets a chance to decide if a judge deserves to keep their job every six years in what’s called a retention election.
MORE: Is this your first time voting? Here’s how to cast a ballot in Arizona
The process works the same way for superior court judges in Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties, although their retention elections come every four years.
When many voters come across the list of judges on their ballot, they freeze up and think: “Who even are these people?”
Luckily, there are guides out there that can help you decide whether you want to vote to keep a judge in place or vote them out. Here are some places that you can look to.
Guides on Arizona judges
Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review
The Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review is tasked with evaluating judges by surveying the people that work them, like lawyers and witnesses. Every judge on the ballot this year has met the commission’s standards, but you can still check out the full report on each person.
Arizona Agenda
The Arizona Agenda, a political newsletter written by local journalists, doesn’t make voting recommendations, but they do review the judges’ performance reports with stricter standards than the commission above to help voters make their decisions.
Civic Engagement Beyond Voting
Civic Engagement Beyond Voting (CEBV), a progressive nonpartisan group, publishes a Gavel Watch report that includes information on judges’ performance reviews, as well as information about controversial affiliations and rulings that may impact your decision.
The group recommends voting no on these seven judges:
- Arizona Supreme Court Justice John Lopez IV
- Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Anni L. Hill Foster
- Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer M. Perkins
- Arizona Court of Appeals Judge David Weinzweig
- Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Sean Brearcliffe
- Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bradley Astrowsky
- Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Julie A. Mata
CEBV expressed reservations about 13 other judges and explained its reasoning in the report.
Progress Arizona
Another progressive group, Progress Arizona, publishes a Progressive Voters’ Guide that includes recommendations on judges.
When you put in your address, you’ll get a personalized guide that shows you the people and propositions that will be on your ballot, plus the group’s approval or disapproval and its reasoning.
Voting information
Arizona voters can join the Active Early Voting List or request a one-time early ballot by Oct. 23. Ballots must be back in the mail by Oct. 27, or voters can drop them off at a voting center or dropbox by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Voters who want to cast their ballot in person can head to the polls now if they want to skip lines on Election Day. On Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
