2026 Washington State
Supreme Court Elections
Know your candidates before you vote.
Washingtonians directly elect Supreme Court justices to 6-year terms. Five seats are on the 2026 ballot — an unusually large number of open races that will reshape the court for years to come.
The Washington Supreme Court has nine justices who serve as the final authority on state law.
Each justice serves a six-year term. Vacancies between elections are filled by gubernatorial appointment.
Supreme Court races are officially nonpartisan. Candidates should be evaluated based on their legal qualifications, judicial experience, integrity, and commitment to applying the law fairly - not on perceived party affiliation.
Resources
This page is for educational purposes. Always verify information with official Washington State sources before voting.
Register to Vote
Register online, check your registration status, or update your address.
Official Candidate Filings
View the official list of candidates who have filed for each race with the Secretary of State.
Ballotpedia Supreme Court Campaign Financing Study
Analysis of Washington State Supreme Court candidate campaign finance and court case outcomes (2013–2022).
The Races
Five Supreme Court seats are on the 2026 ballot. Two sitting justices resigned and their appointees must stand for election. Two incumbents are not seeking re-election. And Position 7 features an incumbent seeking re-election.
OPEN SEAT — JUSTICE YU RESIGNED DECEMBER 31, 2025
Colleen Melody
AppointedJustice, Washington Supreme Court (Appointed January 2026)
- Appointed in 2026 by Governor Ferguson to the Washington State Supreme Court
Scott Edwards
ChallengerAttorney, Ballard Spahr, Seattle
OPEN SEAT — JUSTICE MONTOYA-LEWIS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION
David Stevens
ChallengerMason County Superior Court Judge
- Elected to the Mason County Superior Court in 2024
Jaime Hawk
ChallengerKing County Superior Court Judge
- Appointed in 2022 by Governor Inslee to King County Superior Court
OPEN SEAT — JUSTICE JOHNSON NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION
Sean O'Donnell
ChallengerKing County Superior Court Judge
- Elected to the King County Superior Court in 2013
Ian Birk
ChallengerJudge, Division I Court of Appeals
- Appointed in 2022 by Governor Inslee to Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals
OPEN SEAT — JUSTICE MADSEN RESIGNED APRIL 3, 2026
Theo Angelis
AppointedJustice, Washington Supreme Court (Appointed April 2026)
- Appointed in 2026 by Governor Ferguson to the Washington State Supreme Court
Dave Larson
ChallengerFormer Federal Way Municipal Court Judge
- Appointed to the Federal Way Municipal Court in 2008
INCUMBENT SEEKING RE-ELECTION
Debra Stephens
IncumbentChief Justice, Washington Supreme Court
- Appointed in 2007 by Governor Gregoire to Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals
- Appointed in 2008 by Governor Gregoire to the Washington State Supreme Court
Todd Bloom
ChallengerAttorney, Todd A Bloom, PLLC
Key Dates
Mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters
Final election — winner serves a 6-year term