Florida Voters to Decide Judge Retention on Nov. 3
Florida residents head to the polls to vote on retaining Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz and 22 appellate judges.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Florida voters will cast ballots on November 3 to decide the merit retention of Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz and 22 district court of appeals judges. Voters determine whether these incumbents remain on the bench for another term.
Why it matters
Merit retention elections serve as a public check on the judiciary, allowing the electorate to decide if judges should continue their service or if vacancies should be created for new appointments.
The ballot includes 22 district court judges alongside Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. If a majority of voters choose to remove an incumbent, a new judge will be appointed to the vacancy.
The players
Carlos Muñiz
He is a Florida Supreme Court Justice who served as chief justice from 2022 to 2026.
Ron DeSantis
He is the Governor of Florida who appointed Justice Muñiz to the state supreme court in 2019.
Bronwyn Miller
She is a district court judge currently facing an open investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Judicial Qualifications Commission
This is the state body responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by Florida judges.
The details
If a majority of voters vote against retention, the judge is removed from the bench and a replacement is appointed. The ballot also includes the ongoing case involving Judge Bronwyn Miller, who faces accusations from the Judicial Qualifications Commission regarding attempts to influence the State Attorney's Office.
Timeline
Carlos Muñiz was appointed by the governor in 2019.
Muñiz served as chief justice from 2022 to 2026.
Merit retention elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The current process follows the established requirements of the Florida merit retention system, which provides a mechanism for voters to evaluate judicial performance every term. Opponents of this system often argue for greater transparency regarding the Judicial Qualifications Commission processes before retention votes occur.
The outcome of these retention votes directly determines the composition of the state's judicial branch for the coming term. Voters should review their specific district ballots to understand which judges are up for retention in their local area.
The takeaway
Voters can review the qualifications of the judges on their ballot to ensure informed participation in the retention process. Removing a judge through this system triggers a new appointment process for the vacant seat.
Further reading
For more background on state ballot measures, visit the Florida elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tributary.
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Do you trust that merit retention elections give voters a meaningful say in judicial performance?
