Merit Retention Elections

Florida law requires Florida Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges to be placed on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years so voters can determine whether they should remain on their courts for another six-year term. These are called “merit retention” elections.

2026 Florida Merit Retention Election

Supreme Court Justice Carolis G. Muñiz and 22 district court of appeal judges have qualified for merit retention on the November 2026 general election ballot. (Note: No judges from the 6th Circuit District Court of Appeal are up for merit retention in 2026.)

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in the state and reviews all final orders imposing death sentences, district court decisions declaring a state statute or provision of the Florida Constitution invalid, bond validations, and certain orders of the Public Service Commission on utility rates and services. Click on Justice Muniz's photo to read his Supreme Court biography.

Read opinions issued by The Florida Supreme Court.