Information about appellate judges on November ballot

Three Indiana Supreme Court justices and two Court of Appeals judges will be on the ballot for retention on General Election Day. In November, voters will decide “yes” or “no” on whether to retain each of the following appellate-level judges:

• Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush
• Justice Mark S. Massa
• Justice Derek R. Molter
• Judge Rudolph R. Pyle III (Fourth District)
• Judge Peter R. Foley (First District)

To help voters make informed decisions about the judges on the ballot, the Supreme Court’s Office of Judicial Administration has created a website at courts.in.gov/retention. The website includes biographical information, video of oral arguments, and a link to each judge’s written opinions.

The Indiana State Bar Association will release results from a survey of its members asking lawyers whether the appellate judges should be retained. These results will be available on the retention website.

Indiana has used a merit selection process to choose and retain its appellate judges for the past 50 years. Once appointed, a judge must stand for retention at the first statewide general election after the judge has served for two full years. If retained, the judge is on the retention ballot every 10 years. The retention system is designed to allow appellate judges to decide cases fairly and impartially, free from campaign finance considerations, and without influence by partisan politics.