how retention election works
Under Arizona law, state supreme court justices are appointed by the Governor. Justices serve an initial term of two years, then must stand for election for a six-year term.
In state supreme court races, voters do not decide between two or more candidates. Instead, they are asked if a state supreme court justice should be retained. If they are retained, they return to the state supreme court for a six-year term. If they are not retained, a panel of experts makes new, bi-partisan recommendations to the Governor, who will appoint qualified replacement justices.
