Iowa JNC

What is a judicial retention election?

All judicial officers, except magistrates, must stand for retention election at the first general election following the judge’s appointment, and then near the end of each regular term of office. In a retention election, judges do not have opponents. Instead, voters decide whether or not to retain a judge in office. If a judge receives a simple majority of "yes" votes, the judge may serve another full term. If a judge receives a simple majority of “no” votes, the judge is removed from office at the end of the year.

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