Circuit Court Judges and District Court Judges – Selection and Tenure

SB 954 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how circuit court judges are selected in Maryland, replacing their current election system with an appointment process. The Governor would appoint judges to fill vacancies, but they require Senate confirmation by majority vote (80% for a full 15-year term; majority for a temporary term subject to voter approval). Judges confirmed by less than 80% must face a voter approval vote in the next general election after one year in office, where they compete in a contested election with other qualified candidates. This bill directly affects circuit court judges and the Governor, Senate, and voters in jurisdictions where vacancies occur, but does not apply to district court judges.