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State of Justice 2024

In 2024, more than half of the states will have elections or vacancies on their state supreme courts. This report delves into the current landscape of state supreme courts throughout the country as they continue to draw ever-increasing levels of attention — and outside spending — while deciding critical cases that are reshaping the nation.

State of Justice 2024

State Courts Matter

State supreme courts have always played a huge role in determining our rights and freedoms, but in the wake of massive U.S. Supreme Court decisions sending issues like reproductive freedom and access to democracy back to states, their role is in the national spotlight more than ever. Our new report, "State of Justice 2024: State Supreme Courts and the Future of Democracy", highlights the increasing focus on state court elections and some of the major cases these courts are handling.

State of Justice 2024

Did You Know?

Important Facts about State Courts

of all lawsuits in the US are filed in state courts.

states will hold State Supreme Court elections in 2024.

state supreme court seats are up for a vote in 2024.

In 2024, 32 states will hold elections for at least one seat on their state’s highest court, with over 80 seats up for a vote across the country. In 2023, AFJ Action’s released first-of-its-kind State of the State Supreme Courts Report which identified the states and judges with elections in the upcoming year.

View/Download the PDF.

Pennsylvania had critical judicial elections last year. Seats for Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, Commonwealth Court, and Superior Court were up for election in 2023. Click the link below to learn more about the stakes of the election.  

Learn about Pennsylvania’s 2023 judicial elections.

Voters throughout the country have the critical opportunity to shape their state courts and protect their rights at the ballot box. Stay up to date on what’s happening in your state’s highest court by subscribing to State of Justice, AFJ Action’s bi-weekly newsletter on the latest happenings in state supreme courts.  

Want to read our previous State of Justice newsletters?
Check out our State of Justice Archive!

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News


Georgia Supreme Court Election a Sign of Things to Come

Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson has won reelection to his seat, defeating challenger John Barrow. While there were four seats under consideration in Tuesday’s election, Barrow was the only challenger to any of the incumbents. Competitive judicial elections are rare in Georgia because the secretary of state’s control over the elections allows them to effectively curtail efforts to challenge incumbents they wish to keep in power. Barrow called out Pinson’s role in helping defend a six-week abortion ban and was accused of ethical violations for implying as a judicial candidate how he’d rule in such cases. 


New Report Highlights Growing National Focus on State Supreme Courts

State supreme courts have always played a huge role in determining our rights and freedoms, but in the wake of massive U.S. Supreme Court decisions sending issues like reproductive freedom and access to democracy back to states, their role is in the national spotlight more than ever. A new report from the Alliance for Justice Action Campaign highlights the increasing focus on state court elections and some of the major cases these courts are handling. 


Policy Reform Now

2024 in State Supreme Court Races

“We’re looking at upwards of 80 state supreme court elections in more than 30 states next year. This is going to be one of the biggest years for state Supreme Court elections. We have several states where partisan control of those deeds could be determined. Some of this will depend on whether real competitors file against incumbents and for open seats, and whether, in states with retention elections, real campaigns are mounted to challenge the justices who are up,” explained Jake Faleschini, legal director for state courts at the Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, a group aiming to ensure courts reflect the values of the American people.


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