ST PAUL, Minn. — When it's time to vote in this year's election, don't forget to turn your ballot over. It's where you'll have to pick a candidate in several contested judicial races.
Historically, there's a real confidence in Minnesota's court system and the judges who are appointed. That's why races are rarely contested, according to Mitchell Hamline School of Law Professor Peter Knapp.
"I think they give people an opportunity to put a check on the branch of government that is responsible for making and interpreting law," said Knapp. "After a governor appoints a judge, it’s also a way for the public to weigh back in if there’s something about that appointment the public believes is wrong."
Knapp said the state's constitution requires a selection commission vet judicial candidates, who are typically non-partisan. The group is made up of lawyers and citizens from one of the 10 judicial districts.
This year, voters will have to pick candidates in nine races to serve on the state's Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District Court.
The two incumbents up for re-election on the Supreme Court include Natalie Hudson, the first Black chief justice who was appointed last fall, along with Associate Justice Karl Procaccini.
There is one Court of Appeals contested race and five District Court contested races.
"Unless I have some well documented, reliable reason to believe that there's a problem with a judge, misconduct in the courtroom or something else, I vote for the incumbent because I believe the system works well to put good people on the bench," said Knapp.
A judge's term is six years and they have to have a license to practice. The state's mandatory retirement age is also 70 years old.
"I think for contested races it's good for people to have information, it's good for them to flip that ballot over and it's good for them to vote," said Knapp.
To learn more about the candidates, the Minnesota State Bar Association held candidate forums and asked them to submit questionnaires that you can find here. There's also a standards board to see if a judge has been reprimanded.