- The Kentucky Supreme Court has seven justices and serves as the final authority on the Kentucky constitution and appeals within the state.
- It handles all civil, criminal, and state-related cases, including reviewing issues like life imprisonment and death penalty matters.
- Decisions are made collectively by majority vote, and a justice writes the majority opinion.
- The justices elect a Chief Justice who serves as the administrative head of the state's court system, serving a four-year term.
- Justices are elected for eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections from seven districts. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some justices are elected each year.
- Justices earn $170,049​​​ annually.

One of seven judges who serves on the highest court in the Commonwealth of Kentucky 

2026 Kentucky Primary Election

Kentucky

Public Safety

Criminal Justice

Public Health

Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

State Supreme Court Justice

- The Court of Appeals hears nearly all types of cases appealed from a lower-level trial court, such as a district or circuit court. Cases are not retried, only the record of the original trial is reviewed. 
- Cases before the Court of Appeals are decided by a three-judge panel. Panels do not sit permanently in one location but move around the state to hear cases.  
- Appellate judges are elected for eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections from seven appellate districts. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- Appellate judges earn $163,292 annually.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts

Property Rights

Court of Appeals Judge

- District court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, as well as, small claims (involving $2,500 or less), landlord eviction cases, and cases related to domestic violence and abuse. 
- In Kentucky, there are 116 district court judges serving in 60 judicial districts.
- District court judges are elected for four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- District court judges earn ​$141,761 annually. 

Civil Rights

District Court Judge

Worthington Hills

Woodlawn Park

Woodland Hills

Windy Hills

Wildwood

Westwood

West Buechel

Wellington

Watterson Park

Thornhill

Ten Broeck

Sycamore

Strathmoor Village

Strathmoor Manor

Spring Valley

Spring Mill

South Park View

Shively

Seneca Gardens

St. Regis Park

St. Matthews

Rolling Hills

Rolling Fields

Riverwood

Richlawn

Prospect

Poplar Hills

Plantation

Parkway Village

Old Brownsboro Place

Norwood

Northfield

Norbourne Estates

Murray Hill

Moorland

Mockingbird Valley

Middletown

Meadowview Estates

Meadowbrook Farm

Meadow Vale

Maryhill Estates

Manor Creek

Lynnview

Lyndon

Louisville

Lincolnshire

Langdon Place

Kingsley

Jeffersontown

Indian Hills

Hurstbourne Acres

Hurstbourne

Houston Acres

Hollyvilla

Hollow Creek

Hills and Dales

Hickory Hill

Heritage Creek

Green Spring

Graymoor-Devondale

Goose Creek

Glenview Manor

Glenview Hills

Glenview

Forest Hills

Fincastle

Druid Hills

Douglass Hills

Crossgate

Creekside

Coldstream

Cambridge

Brownsboro Village

Brownsboro Farm

Broeck Pointe

Briarwood

Blue Ridge Manor

Bellewood

Bellemeade

Beechwood Village

Barbourmeade

Bancroft

Audubon Park

Anchorage

Wurtland

Worthville

Worthington

Woodlawn

Williamstown

Wilder

Warsaw

Walton

Villa Hills

Vanceburg

Union

Taylorsville

Taylor Mill

Sparta

Southgate

South Shore

Full profiles for 5 counties, including Boyd and Fayette

2026 Kentucky candidates

Kentucky State Supreme Court Justice, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge, Division 3

1 candidate

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 2

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 1

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge, Division 5

2 candidates

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 2

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 4

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 4

1 candidate

How this impacts you