Missouri Voters to Decide Judge Retention on November 3
Missouri voters will cast ballots on whether to retain two appellate judges for new 12-year terms.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Law
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On November 3, 2026, Missouri voters will determine the retention of Supreme Court Judge Paul Wilson and Western District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa White Hardwick. Both judges require a majority vote of over 50% to secure their positions for the next 12-year term.
Why it matters
The judicial retention process in Missouri operates under the Missouri Plan, which was established to remove political influence from the selection and evaluation of judges. Retention allows the public to hold members of the judiciary accountable based on performance reviews while maintaining a non-partisan system.
A simple majority of over 50% is required for a judge to secure a new 12-year term. Since the adoption of the Missouri Plan in 1940, only four circuit judges have failed to be retained by voters.
The players
Paul Wilson
He is a sitting judge on the Missouri Supreme Court.
Lisa White Hardwick
She serves as a judge on the Western District Court of Appeals.
Judicial Performance Review Committee
This body evaluates sitting judges based on feedback from legal professionals and jurors.
The details
The Judicial Performance Review Committee recommends that voters retain both candidates after evaluating data including lawyers' ratings, jurors' ratings, and written opinions. Judge Paul Wilson received performance ratings between 4.14 and 4.63, while Judge Lisa White Hardwick earned scores ranging from 4.35 to 4.69.
Timeline
The Missouri Plan for judicial selection was adopted in 1940.
The Missouri Bar conducted a formal lawyer survey in 2026.
The general election vote on judicial retention occurs on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
This election operates under the Missouri Plan, which mandates that judges face periodic non-partisan retention votes rather than contested partisan elections. Opponents of this system sometimes argue that it limits the public's ability to express broader ideological dissatisfaction with judicial rulings.
Voters will see these retention questions on their general election ballot in Boone County and across the state. A successful retention vote grants the judge a full 12-year term, meaning residents will not have an opportunity to revisit these specific seats until that term expires.
The takeaway
The Missouri Plan is designed to keep judicial decisions separate from the political pressures of general campaigns. Voters are encouraged to review the official performance statistics to make an informed decision on whether to extend the tenure of the judges on their ballot.
Further reading
For more information on the selection process, visit the Law section.
More information
View detailed judge profiles and performance reviews to prepare for your vote.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Columbia Missourian.
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Do you believe judges should be retained through public voting to ensure judicial accountability?
