US State Supreme Court Election 2026 show 42 seats on the ballot in 23 states on November 3, 2026, with Democrats gaining a seat in Ohio (now a 5–2 Republican court), keeping Michigan at 6–1, and winning in Montana and North Carolina. Democrats also led in all four Texas Supreme Court races on November 4, 2026, and no court changed hands yet, but Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and possibly Texas will decide majorities in 2028.
US State Supreme Court Election 2026 – Introduction
US State Supreme Court Election 2026 show a quiet ballot line that carried big stakes. Voters in 23 states chose justices for 42 seats on November 3, 2026. Congressional and governor races took most of the attention, yet state high courts rule on abortion, redistricting, voting rules and many other disputes. The Democratic wave reached these courts too, including a surprise win in Ohio.
The results do not change any majority right away. They set up fights for 2028. Michigan kept a 6–1 Democratic majority, and North Carolina kept a 5–2 Republican one. Ohio narrowed to 5–2, and Texas could narrow to 5–4 if early leads hold. This report uses unofficial returns and reporting published through November 4, 2026.
Interesting Fact(s): US State Supreme Court Election 2026 Key Data
Ohio Supreme Court Seats Held by Democrats
Before November 2026 | █ 1
After November 2026 | ██ 2
| Fact | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| States with supreme court elections on November 3 | 23 |
| Seats on the ballot | 42 |
| States holding supreme court elections in 2026 | 32 |
| Ohio Supreme Court majority | 5–2 Republican, from 6–1 |
| Michigan Supreme Court majority | 6–1 Democratic |
| North Carolina Supreme Court majority | 5–2 Republican |
| Texas Supreme Court if leads hold | 5–4 Republican |
| Last Democratic win on the Texas Supreme Court | 1994 |
| Earls race spending | More than $8 million |
| Montana nonpartisan elections amendment | About 69% yes |
| Arkansas result (March 3) | Bronni won 54.8% |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026; Ballotpedia; Arkansas Advocate.
The table shows how narrow the changes are. Ohio moved by one seat, and Michigan and North Carolina held steady. Texas is the largest open story. Republicans have held every seat on that court since 1999, and no Democrat had won there since 1994.
Money and process mattered too. Anita Earls’s North Carolina race drew more than $8 million. Montana voters backed a constitutional amendment for nonpartisan judicial elections with about 69%. Arkansas voted earlier, on March 3, and kept its conservative majority.
Michigan Supreme Court Election Results 2026: Cavanagh and Hood Win
Michigan Supreme Court Vote Share (87.6% of precincts reporting)
Cavanagh (D-nom.) | █████████████████ 34%
Hood (D-nom.) | ███████████████ 30%
Warren (R-nom.) | ███████ 14%
Morse-Bills (R) | ██████ 13%
White (UST) | ██ 5%
Howe (UST) | ██ 5%
| Candidate | Party Nominee | Votes (87.6% counted) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Cavanagh* | Democratic | 2,229,901 | 34% |
| Noah Hood* | Democratic | 1,926,400 | 30% |
| Michael Warren | Republican | 896,284 | 14% |
| Casandra Morse-Bills | Republican | 824,977 | 13% |
| Jody White | U.S. Taxpayers | 345,803 | 5% |
| Thomas Howe | U.S. Taxpayers | 304,606 | 5% |
*Source: WDIV Decision 2026, November 3, 2026; Michigan Advance; CBS Detroit. Incumbent.
Cavanagh and Hood won the two seats, and the Associated Press called the race just after 1:00 a.m. on November 4. Voters pick two candidates, so the shares add up to more than a single-seat race. The two winners together drew 4,156,301 votes at this stage of the count, far above the 1,721,261 for the two Republican nominees.
Both seats carry full 8-year terms. Cavanagh, first elected in 2018, is chief justice. Hood joined the court in 2025 when Gov. Whitmer appointed him, and he won his first full term. The party-nominated but nonpartisan ballot hid party labels, and experts said that gave incumbents an edge. The court stays 6–1 Democratic.
Ohio Supreme Court Election Results 2026: Democrats Gain a Seat
Ohio Supreme Court Majority
Before | ██████ 6 Republican | █ 1 Democrat
After | █████ 5 Republican | ██ 2 Democrats
| Seat | Winner | Defeated | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunner seat | Jennifer Brunner (D) | Colleen O’Donnell (R) | Democrat holds |
| Hawkins seat | Marilyn Zayas (D) | Justice Daniel Hawkins (R) | Democratic gain |
| Court majority | Republican | None | 5–2, from 6–1 |
| Next test | 2028 | Two Republican seats | One seat open |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026; Ballotpedia.
Brunner was the last Democrat on the court. She beat O’Donnell, a former lower court judge. Zayas, a judge on Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals, then beat Hawkins, a Republican first elected in 2024. The result is a one-seat gain that few observers expected.
The change matters for 2028. Republicans have held the Ohio court since 1986, according to Ballotpedia. Ohio’s Republican legislature added party labels to the ballot in 2022, and the court went from 4–3 to 6–1 Republican by 2024. Two Republican seats come up in 2028, with one open because of mandatory retirement, so partisan control will be on the ballot.
Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Election Results 2026: Democrats Lead
Texas Supreme Court Seats on Ballot (all Republican-held)
Republican incumbents trailing | ████ 4 of 4
Court of Criminal Appeals races trailing | ███ 3 of 3
| Court | Republican Candidate | Democratic Challenger | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court (chief justice) | Jimmy Blacklock | Maggie Ellis | Trailing |
| Supreme Court | James Sullivan | Chari Kelly | Trailing |
| Supreme Court | Kyle Hawkins | Kristen Hawkins | Trailing |
| Supreme Court | Brett Busby | Gisela Triana | Trailing |
| Criminal Appeals | Kevin Yeary | Audra Riley | Trailing |
| Criminal Appeals (open) | Thomas Smith | Okey Anyiam | Trailing |
| Criminal Appeals (open) | John Messinger | Holly Taylor | Trailing |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026.
All 4 Republican Texas Supreme Court justices were trailing on November 4, and most outlets had not called the races. If the leads hold, Republicans keep a 5–4 majority on a court that has been all Republican since 1999. Ellis would be the first woman chief justice in Texas history if she wins.
The Court of Criminal Appeals shows the same pattern. All 3 Republican candidates trailed, which would leave a 6–3 Republican majority. Texas’s Republicans have won every statewide race since 1994, so the lead is a large break. Three Supreme Court seats come up in 2028, and 2 Democratic wins this year would put the majority at stake.
North Carolina and Montana Supreme Court Election Results 2026: Earls and Eddy Win
Vote Shares Reported in Montana and Arkansas
Montana amendment (yes vote) | ██████████████████████████████████ 69%
Arkansas (Bronni, March 3) | ███████████████████████████ 54.8%
| State | Winner | Defeated | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Anita Earls (D) | Sarah Stevens (R) | Court stays 5–2 Republican |
| Montana | Amy Eddy | Dan Wilson | Court stays 4–3 liberal-leaning |
| Montana amendment | Nonpartisan elections | Party labels | About 69% yes |
| Arkansas | Nicholas Bronni | John Adams | 54.8%, 5–2 conservative court |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026; Arkansas Advocate; Bolts Magazine.
Earls won a second term over Stevens, a former Republican legislator, and the court keeps its 5–2 Republican majority. Democrats need 2 of 3 Republican-held seats in 2028 to win the court. One of those justices, Phil Berger Jr., said he will not run again, so at least one seat will be open.
Eddy beat Wilson in Montana’s nonpartisan race and will fill retiring Justice Beth Baker’s seat. Wilson gave the keynote at the state Republican Party’s winter meeting, and unions and conservation voters backed Eddy. Montana voters also backed an amendment that bars party labels on judicial ballots with about 69%. Conservatives need to win both of 2 left-leaning seats in 2028 to shift the court.
State Supreme Court Majorities After the 2026 Election: Where Control Stands
Supreme Court Majorities After November 3, 2026 (seats for the majority party)
Michigan (D) | ██████ 6 of 7
Ohio (R) | █████ 5 of 7
North Carolina (R) | █████ 5 of 7
Arkansas (cons.) | █████ 5 of 7
Texas (R, if holds) | █████ 5 of 9
| State | Before | After 2026 | Next Majority Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 6–1 D | 6–1 D | Later cycle |
| Ohio | 6–1 R | 5–2 R | 2028 |
| North Carolina | 5–2 R | 5–2 R | 2028 |
| Montana | 4–3 liberal | 4–3 liberal | 2028 |
| Texas | 9–0 R | 5–4 R if leads hold | 2028 possible |
| Arkansas | 5–2 conservative | 5–2 conservative | Later cycle |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026; Ballotpedia News, October 30, 2026.
Only Montana had its majority directly at stake on November 3, according to Ballotpedia, and the liberal side held. Michigan Republicans needed both seats to cut the Democratic edge to 4–3, and they lost both. Ohio is the one court where a party lost ground, and it lost only one seat.
The 2028 map is crowded. Four courts could shift: Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. In Texas, 3 Republican seats come up, and 2 Democratic wins this year would make control a live question. Texas has had no Democratic justice since the court turned all Republican in 1999, so even 5–4 is a large change.
State Supreme Court Campaign Spending 2026: Outside Money and TV Outlays
Reported Spending, 2026 (millions of dollars)
Earls race, North Carolina | ████████████████ 8.0+
Justice for All Michigan (outside)| ████ 2.2
Cavanagh & Hood TV (Michigan) | █ 0.84
| Race or Group | 2026 Spending |
|---|---|
| Earls race, North Carolina | More than $8 million |
| Justice for All Michigan (outside TV) | $2,214,550 |
| Cavanagh and Hood TV (Michigan) | $840,800 |
| Most expensive 2026 state supreme court race | North Carolina (on track) |
Source: State Court Report, Brennan Center for Justice, November 4, 2026; Brennan Center Buying Time 2026 Michigan.
Spending was lower than in earlier cycles. The State Court Report said this year’s races drew less special interest money than recent record years. The North Carolina race still topped $8 million and is on track to be the most expensive of 2026. That reflects the 2028 fight for a majority on the state’s high court.
Michigan’s TV numbers show an outside group outspending the candidates. Justice for All Michigan spent an estimated $2,214,550 on TV, and Cavanagh and Hood spent $840,800 together. Outside spending was about 2.6 times larger. These are TV estimates, so total spending is higher once other costs are included.
Spring State Supreme Court Election Results 2026: Arkansas, Georgia and Wisconsin
Arkansas Supreme Court Position 3 Vote Share (March 3, 2026)
Bronni (inc.) | ███████████████████████████ 54.8%
Adams | ██████████████████████ 45.2%
| State | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas, Position 3 | March 3, 2026 | Nicholas Bronni (inc.) beat John Adams, 54.8% |
| Arkansas, Position 6 | March 3, 2026 | Cody Hiland (inc.) won |
| Georgia | May 19, 2026 | 3 nonpartisan seats on the ballot |
| Wisconsin | Spring 2026 | Liberal candidate won |
| States resolved before November | 5 | Spring and summer contests |
Source: Arkansas Advocate, March 3, 2026; Ballotpedia; Bolts Magazine.
Arkansas voted first. Bronni won 54.8% to Adams’s 45.2%, which is about 55 to 45 in round numbers. Bronni is a Sanders appointee who ran for a full term. Hiland also won, so the court keeps its 5–2 conservative majority. Both winners were incumbents, which matches the usual pattern in judicial races.
Bolts Magazine counted 5 states that finished their contests in the spring and summer, leaving the rest for November. Conservatives won in Arkansas, and liberals won in Wisconsin. Georgia put 3 nonpartisan seats on the May 19 ballot. The early results gave neither side a clear edge before the Democratic wave arrived in the fall.
State Supreme Court Election Format 2026: Partisan and Nonpartisan Seats by State
Seats on the 2026 Ballot in Key States
Texas | ███████ 7
Georgia | ███ 3
Michigan | ██ 2
Ohio | ██ 2
Kentucky | █ 1
Montana | █ 1
| State | Seats | Date | Ballot Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 7 | November 3 | Partisan |
| Georgia | 3 | May 19 | Nonpartisan |
| Michigan | 2 | November 3 | Partisan nominees, nonpartisan ballot |
| Ohio | 2 | November 3 | Partisan |
| Kentucky | 1 | November 3 | Nonpartisan |
| Montana | 1 | November 3 | Nonpartisan |
Source: Ballotpedia, State Supreme Court Elections 2026; Ballotpedia News, October 30, 2026.
Format shapes the vote. Texas and Ohio print party labels, so a statewide Democratic wave can carry judges. Ohio added labels in 2022. Michigan parties nominate candidates at conventions, but the ballot shows no party. Montana and Kentucky use fully nonpartisan ballots, and Montana voters just locked that in with an amendment that won about 69%.
Texas holds the most seats. Its 7 are 4 on the Supreme Court and 3 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. Ballotpedia counted 13 Republican-majority courts, 11 Democratic-majority courts and 1 split court among those up for election in November. Only Montana had its majority directly at stake, so the format matters most for the 2028 fights.
FAQ: US State Supreme Court Election 2026
How many state supreme court seats were on the ballot in 2026?
Voters in 23 states chose justices for 42 seats on November 3, 2026.
Did any state supreme court change majority in 2026?
No court changed hands on November 3, 2026, according to State Court Report. Texas could narrow to 5–4 if early leads hold.
What happened in the Ohio Supreme Court election in 2026?
Democrats gained a seat. Marilyn Zayas beat Justice Daniel Hawkins, and Jennifer Brunner won, so the court is 5–2 Republican.
Who won the Michigan Supreme Court race in 2026?
Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood won. The court remains 6–1 Democratic.
Are Texas Supreme Court results final?
No. As of November 4, all 4 Republican justices trailed, but most outlets had not called the races.
When did Democrats last win a Texas Supreme Court seat?
In 1994.
Who won the North Carolina Supreme Court race in 2026?
Democrat Anita Earls beat Republican Sarah Stevens. The court stays 5–2 Republican.
Who won the Montana Supreme Court race in 2026?
Amy Eddy beat Dan Wilson for Justice Beth Baker’s seat.
Did Montana voters pass the nonpartisan judicial elections amendment?
Yes, with about 69% in incomplete results.
How much was spent on the North Carolina Supreme Court race in 2026?
More than $8 million, on track to be the most expensive state supreme court election this year.
What was the Arkansas Supreme Court result in 2026?
Nicholas Bronni beat John Adams with 54.8% on March 3. The court stays 5–2 conservative.
Which state supreme courts could change majority in 2028?
Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and possibly Texas.
Why did Ohio’s Supreme Court elections show party labels in 2026?
Ohio’s Republican-majority legislature added party labels to the ballot for state supreme court candidates in 2022.
Who could be the first woman chief justice of Texas?
Maggie Ellis, a Third Court of Appeals justice, if she beats Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock.
Which party has more supreme court majorities in the 2026 states?
Ballotpedia counted 13 Republican-majority courts, 11 Democratic-majority courts and 1 split court among the November contests.
What does the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals do?
It is the state’s highest court for criminal cases. All 3 Republican candidates trailed on November 4.
How many justices sit on the Michigan Supreme Court?
7 justices serve 8-year terms. Democratic nominees hold 6 seats.
Who won Arkansas Supreme Court Position 6 in 2026?
Incumbent Cody Hiland won, according to Ballotpedia.
How many Texas Supreme Court seats are up in 2028?
3 seats held by Republican justices. Two Democratic wins this year would put the majority at stake.
How many seats do Democrats need to win the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2028?
They need 2 of the 3 Republican-held seats. Justice Phil Berger Jr. said he will not run again.
Who did Noah Hood replace on the Michigan Supreme Court?
Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, who resigned in April 2025. Gov. Whitmer appointed Hood to the seat.
When did the Associated Press call the Michigan Supreme Court race?
Just after 1:00 a.m. on November 4, 2026.
Was 2026 a record year for state supreme court spending?
No. State Court Report said this year’s races drew less special interest money than recent record cycles.
Who is the chief justice of Michigan?
Megan Cavanagh, first elected in 2018.
Which Republicans ran for the Michigan Supreme Court in 2026?
Michael Warren and Casandra Morse-Bills. Both lost.
Who is trailing in the Texas chief justice race in 2026?
Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock trailed Maggie Ellis on November 4.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.