Dear John, 

To celebrate brat summer, AFJ Action is bumpin’ that State of Justice 2024 Report because Election Day is less than 100 days away! This year, over 80 seats are up for election across 33 states. Do you know if your state is holding an election for your state supreme court? Check it out here! As we ramp up towards November 5, keep an eye out for additional resources and reports from AFJ Action detailing the most important elections happening this year.  

On the heels of news this week that the Biden Administration is calling for significant ethics reforms on the U.S. Supreme Court, ongoing judicial ethics issues in several states highlights the important of ethics standards for all judges. New reports raise doubts around the strength of Kentucky’s financial disclosure regulations for judges and justices. The Wisconsin Supreme Court removed a false elector planner from a state ethics panel. Maryland’s supreme court allows Marilyn Mosby to temporarily retain her law license. North Carolina’s highest court continues to be questioned on ethics. Learn why North Carolina Chief Justice Paul Newby is channeling his inner Samuel Alito by flying an “Appeal to Heaven” flag at his beach house and get all the state supreme courts ethics updates here!

MORE: Sign our petition to call for a U.S. Supreme Court Code of Ethics! 

In vacancy news, Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Robinson is set to retire in September; Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush is seeking a third term as chief justice; and after the Alaska Judicial Council closed applications on July 24, the council began its screening and public vetting process.  

There will be a crowded election for Mississippi Supreme Court District 1, with five candidates on the ballot. Justices filed for retention in Utah and Iowa. Learn everything you need to know in our Vacancies and Elections update here!

Check out recent cases from around the country impacting crucial issues, including criminal procedure, education, environmental protections, executive authority, firearm restrictions, housing rights, LGBTQ+ rights, public records access, reproductive rights, statutory interpretation, and voting rights. Find out all about these important decisions here! 

South Carolina recently changed its Judicial Nominating Commission and legislative election procedures for supreme court candidates. State supreme courts will deliver decisions on access to education, voting rights, criminal sentencing, abortion rights, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Learn how state courts will shape our rights before the end of the year in our news updates here!