In Florida, judges on the state’s six appellate courts, as well as the justices on the state Supreme Court, are appointed by the governor, following screenings by a Judicial Nominating Committee. However, after their nomination, they must go before voters for a merit retention vote, in order to remain in their position. Newly-appointed judges go on a general election ballot within three years of their appointment. If they are retained, they serve a six-year term, and face retention votes at the end of each term. If a judge is not retained, they will be replaced in the same manner they were appointed.
As the Florida Bar points out on its website, The Vote’s In Your Court, you can learn about judges in retention races by reading their voluntary disclosure forms, and about their past case decisions.
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Florida’s First District Court of Appeal is based in Tallahassee, and hears cases from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 14th circuits. In Northeast Florida, that includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, and Union counties. These merit retention races will appear on all ballots in those counties.
Thirteen judges sit on the First District Court of Appeal, and five of them face merit retention votes this year. The court’s most recent written opinions are available, as is an archive of the court’s opinions.
Learn more about the judges facing merit retention below:
Judge Joseph Lewis, Jr.
- Served on First District Court of Appeal since 2001
Judge Rachel Nordby
- Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on October 16, 2019
Chief Judge Tim Osterhaus
- Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott on May 20, 2013
Judge Clay Roberts
- Appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist on January 18, 2007
Judge Raymond Treadwell
- Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 23, 2025