California Police Union Opposes Justice Kelli Evans
The state's largest law enforcement union is urging voters to reject the retention of Supreme Court Justice Kelli Evans.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The Peace Officers Research Association of California has launched a digital campaign aimed at ousting Supreme Court Justice Kelli Evans. The union argues that her judicial record demonstrates a preference for incarcerated individuals in criminal cases.
Why it matters
The union is expressing opposition to the interpretation of recent laws that grant incarcerated people greater opportunities for parole and early release. This campaign highlights a significant pushback from law enforcement groups regarding the current trajectory of state criminal justice policies.
Justice Kelli Evans is currently on the ballot for a retention election following her appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022. Successful candidates in these elections secure a 12-year term on the California Supreme Court.
The players
Kelli Evans
She is a sitting justice on the California Supreme Court who was previously a judge in the Alameda County Superior Court.
Peace Officers Research Association of California
This is the largest law enforcement union in California and the primary organization behind the campaign to remove Justice Evans.
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California who appointed Justice Kelli Evans to the Supreme Court in 2022.
The details
The union campaign leverages data on judicial dissents compiled by the At the Lectern blog to criticize the justice. Supporters of the effort focus on her previous service in the Alameda County Superior Court and her rulings that align with legislative changes regarding criminal penalties.
Timeline
Voters rejected three California Supreme Court justices in 1986.
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Kelli Evans to the court in 2022.
Voters passed Proposition 36 regarding criminal penalties in 2024.
The Peace Officers Research Association of California launched the campaign in October 2026.
Legal Context
The current campaign against Justice Evans follows the precedent of the 1986 elections where voters removed three justices from the bench. This effort highlights how retention elections serve as a platform for political debate regarding the state's judicial interpretation of criminal law.
The campaign specifically targets California voters who will decide the outcome of the retention election for the high court. Residents should expect to see increased digital messaging as the union attempts to influence the judicial composition of the state.
The takeaway
The Peace Officers Research Association of California does not expect the campaign to reach the threshold required to successfully remove Justice Evans. Voters are encouraged to review judicial records independently to understand the implications of the upcoming retention decision.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's legal climate in the California Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CalMatters.
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