Missouri Committee Recommended Retention for 50 Judges
The state review committee released performance findings for nonpartisan judges ahead of the November election.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee has recommended that voters retain all 50 nonpartisan judges up for review. These findings are intended to assist the public in making informed decisions during the upcoming judicial retention elections.
Why it matters
The review process provides citizens with objective assessments based on legal expertise and public service to ensure transparency and accountability within the state judiciary. This oversight helps maintain the integrity of Missouri's nonpartisan court plan by informing voters before they cast their ballots.
The committee evaluated 50 nonpartisan judges, including one Supreme Court judge, five appellate judges, 28 circuit judges, and 16 associate circuit judges. The process remains pending final voter approval in the retention elections on Nov. 3.
The players
Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee
This body is responsible for evaluating the performance of nonpartisan judges and reporting its findings to the public.
The Missouri Bar
The Missouri Bar acts as the statewide organization for legal professionals and provides funding for the judicial review process.
The details
The evaluation utilized lawyer surveys, juror feedback, and written judicial opinions as prescribed by Missouri Supreme Court Rule 10.55. To maintain objectivity, the committee removed identifying information from review materials before conducting their assessments, which are funded and published by The Missouri Bar.
Timeline
The committee released the judicial performance review findings on Sept. 30, 2026.
Missouri voters will participate in judicial retention elections on Nov. 3, 2026.
Legal Context
The judicial retention system functions as a check on judicial power within the Missouri nonpartisan court plan. This structured evaluation process aligns with a national trend toward formalizing judicial accountability through public-facing data.
Residents can use these performance findings to determine which judges should continue their service on the bench. Voters will have the opportunity to cast their final retention ballots during the general election held on Nov. 3.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to review the committee's findings to better understand the professional conduct and performance of the judges on their ballot. Taking the time to research these evaluations helps ensure the judiciary remains accountable to the public it serves.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's legal oversight processes in the Criminal Justice section.
More information
For detailed reports on each judge, visit the judicial performance review information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Missouri Lawyers Media.
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