Get Fair Courts Updates and Advocacy Alerts

Courts make decisions that affect voting rights, consumer protections, workplace rights, healthcare, civil liberties, public safety, and access to justice. Yet many judicial elections and court-related policy decisions receive little public attention.

American Justice Watch helps people understand who is influencing the courts, how judicial power is being used, and what is at stake for communities across the country. Our fair courts updates focus on developments that affect judicial independence, access to justice, and public confidence in the legal system.

In 2026, voters in dozens of states will encounter state supreme court elections or retention questions. These races can shape how state constitutions are interpreted and how courts approach civil rights, voting, reproductive freedom, consumer protection, public safety, and government accountability. For independent coverage, visit the State Court Report Election 2026 hub.

Judges are selected differently across the country. Some states use partisan or nonpartisan elections, some hold retention elections, and others rely on appointments or nominating commissions. The Brennan Center judicial selection map offers a clear state-by-state overview of these systems and the safeguards that may protect judicial independence.

Our updates also examine the role of dark money and special-interest spending. When donors can influence judicial campaigns without meaningful transparency, voters may struggle to evaluate potential conflicts of interest. Read more about corporate influence and dark money in the courts.

We also share practical ways to stay informed and participate. That may include following a judicial race, learning how a justice reached the bench, contacting elected officials about court reform, sharing reliable reporting, or supporting organizations that defend fair and impartial courts. Learn more about our mission for fair judicial selection.

By subscribing to our fair courts updates, you will receive information designed to help you follow major court developments, recognize threats to judicial independence, and understand how legal decisions affect everyday life. We focus on useful context and credible sources so you can decide when and how to act.

What to Watch in Judicial Election Coverage

Before a judicial election or retention vote, look beyond campaign slogans. Ask how the judge reached the bench, who is financing the campaign, whether outside groups are spending money, and whether state disclosure rules reveal the original donors. It is also worth checking recusal rules, judicial conduct standards, and credible reporting about the court’s recent decisions.

Our fair courts updates will point readers toward reliable records and nonpartisan resources whenever possible. They are designed to explain the process, identify the interests seeking influence, and give readers enough context to reach their own conclusions. The goal is not to tell anyone how to vote. It is to make the judicial system easier to understand and public influence easier to see.

Each update will identify its sources, publication date, and public relevance so readers can continue researching the issue independently.