Judicial Races
Judges serve 6-year terms
If a judicial candidate does not draw an opponent, that candidate’s name goes on the general election ballot alone. In essence, the candidate is automatically elected to their office.
If there are only two candidates, the two names appear on the general election ballot. There is no primary.
If there are more than two candidates, all names for that bench appear on the primary ballot. The top two vote-getters appear on the general election ballot.
Judicial candidates cannot win in the primary. (Justices of the Peace are an exception.)
To read more about Nevada’s judicial system, please read the Nevada Judiciary 2025 Annual Report:
Nevada Judiciary 2025 Annual Report
Read about the various types of courts in Nevada:
Click here to learn about the District Courts
Click here to learn more about the Justice of the Peace
Click here to learn more about the Municipal Court
Researching an incumbent Judge:
Click here to learn how to research the record of an incumbent judge
The ethical code of conduct for judges running for election includes not providing opinions on issues that could be a future court case. So, judicial candidates cannot tell you how they will rule on specific issues. Instead, ask judicial candidates about their approach to handling cases.
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