Judicial Nominating Commission

A judicial nominating commission (also judicial nominating committee, judicial nominating board) in the United States, is a body used by some U.S. states to recommend or select potential justices and judges for appointments by state governments.

Judicial nominating commissions are often established by the state constitution as part of merit selection plans. They are designed to be independent bodies. A common procedure is for the commission to receive applications for that position and forward three names to the governor, who has some number of days (often 60) to select one.

The powers, size, role, and makeup of judicial nominating commissions vary widely from state to state. Some commissions only make recommendations for appellate courts (the state supreme court and any intermediate appellate courts). Others make recommendations for trial court judge appointments as well.

Judicial nominating commissions are also used on the county level, such as in some Alabama counties.

Current statewide judicial nominating commissions:

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