Judges on the retention ballot

Appellate judges in Oklahoma don't run against opponents. Voters decide whether each one stays in office (yes or no).

• Appellate judges on the retention ballot have no opponents and no party label; voters answer yes or no on whether each judge should be retained. source: okpolicy.org
• A judge needs a simple majority of yes votes to be retained. source: okpolicy.org
• Retained judges serve six-year terms; terms are staggered so some appellate judges are on the ballot every even-numbered year. source: okpolicy.org
• If a judge is not retained, the office becomes vacant and the governor appoints a replacement. source: okpolicy.org
• A newly appointed appellate judge stands for retention at the next general election after serving one year. source: ballotpedia.org
• Under the Code of Judicial Conduct, appellate judges cannot raise campaign funds or set up campaign committees. source: okpolicy.org
• The State Election Board list shows the same nine retention questions in the county ballot listings checked (statewide). source: hosting.okelections.gov

What each court does

• Supreme Court: Oklahoma's highest court for everything except criminal cases: lawsuits, family and business disputes, and challenges to state laws. Its rulings are final on state law in those cases, and it oversees all state courts. Nine justices. source: ballotpedia.org
• Court of Criminal Appeals: Oklahoma's highest court for criminal cases. It has the final word on state criminal appeals, including death penalty cases. Five judges. source: ballotpedia.org
• Court of Civil Appeals: Hears most appeals in non-criminal cases, which the Supreme Court sends to it. The Supreme Court can review its decisions. source: ballotpedia.org

Judges on your ballot

• Supreme Court, District 1
  M. John Kane IV appointed Governor Kevin Stitt, 2019 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Supreme Court, District 4
  Travis V. Jett appointed Governor Kevin Stitt, 2025 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Supreme Court, District 6
  Dana L. Kuehn appointed Governor Kevin Stitt, 2021 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Supreme Court, District 9
  Richard B. Darby appointed Governor Mary Fallin, 2018 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Court of Criminal Appeals, District 2
  Robert L. Hudson appointed Governor Mary Fallin, 2015 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Court of Civil Appeals, District 1 - Office 1
  Stacie L. Hixon appointed Governor Kevin Stitt, 2020 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Court of Civil Appeals, District 1 - Office 2
  Jane P. Wiseman appointed Governor Brad Henry, 2005 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Court of Civil Appeals, District 2 - Office 1
  Deborah B. Barnes appointed Governor Brad Henry, 2008 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county
• Court of Civil Appeals, District 2 - Office 2
  James R. Huber appointed Governor Kevin Stitt, 2023 source: hosting.okelections.gov source: okpolicy.orgOn the ballot in every county

Seats from the State Election Board's official list of elections ↗, which lists the seats but not the names. Names from the sources linked. District judges who face opponents are on each county page.