Oklahoma is one of two states with two courts of last resort. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the court of last resort in the state for civil matters while the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort for criminal matters.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is composed of nine justices serving six-year terms who are appointed by the governor and then must face retention elections thereafter. Retention elections take place during Oklahoma’s general elections, which are held every two years in even-numbered years.
Four justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court are up for retention election on November 3, 2020:
1. Tom Colbert 2. Richard Darby 3. M. John Kane IV 4. Dustin Rowe
Heading into the 2020 election, Republican governors have appointed four justices to the Oklahoma Supreme Court while Democratic governors have appointed five.
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is composed of five judges serving six-year terms who are appointed by the governor and then must face retention elections thereafter.
Justice Gary Lumpkin on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is up for retention election on November 3, 2020.
Heading into the 2020 election, Republican governors have appointed four justices to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals while Democratic governors have appointed one.
Additional Reading: Oklahoma elections, 2020 Oklahoma Supreme Court Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Court of last resort Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission
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