In addition, the prospect of career stability encourages strong candidates to apply for judicial positions. Judges must comply with a very strict code of professional conduct. They are not allowed to make promises to voters, except for a promise to perform their duties impartially and faithfully. Judges who are candidates for retention or re-election without a competing candidate may campaign in response to active opposition. But judges may not announce their views on disputed legal issues.
Federal judges are part of a different system.
They are appointed for life by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Federal judges do not stand in retention elections. The plan was developed in Missouri more than 50 years ago. Since then, more than 30 other states have adopted parts of it. The system effectively removes politics from the process of judicial selection, while giving the public a meaningful opportunity to assess and evaluate judicial performance.