10/01/2026
⚖️ FLORIDA VOTERS: KNOW THE JUDICIAL RECORD BEFORE YOU VOTE — NOVEMBER 3, 2026
Judges matter.
A governor may sign legislation and lawmakers may pass it, but Florida's courts determine constitutional questions and decide appeals that can affect our voting rights, civil rights, criminal justice, education, reproductive rights, property, businesses, families, and access to justice.
On November 3, Floridians will vote in merit-retention elections for Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz and 22 District Court of Appeal judges statewide.
These are not races between two candidates. You will be asked whether each judge appearing on YOUR ballot should remain in office for another six-year term.
🔎 FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz is the only Florida Supreme Court justice up for retention in 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the Court in 2019.
Before voting, examine the Supreme Court's record on major constitutional questions, including:
▪️ BLACK VOTING POWER & REDISTRICTING — In Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute v. Secretary, Florida Department of State, the Florida Supreme Court upheld Florida's 2022 congressional map in litigation involving the elimination of a North Florida congressional district connecting Black communities.
▪️ PRIVACY & ABORTION — In Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida v. State, the Court receded from earlier precedent concerning Florida's constitutional privacy provision, allowing Florida's abortion restriction to take effect.
▪️ REMOVAL OF AN ELECTED STATE ATTORNEY — In Worrell v. DeSantis, the Court rejected elected State Attorney Monique Worrell's challenge to Gov. DeSantis's suspension of her from office.
These decisions are part of the public judicial record. They are not, standing alone, proof of judicial corruption. Voters should read the opinions and dissents and decide whether the Court's interpretation of the Florida Constitution represents the judiciary they want.
⚖️ DON'T STOP AT THE SUPREME COURT — CHECK YOUR DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
There are 22 DCA judges up for merit retention in 2026.
1st DCA: Joseph Lewis Jr., Rachel Nordby, Tim Osterhaus, Clay Roberts and Raymond Treadwell.
2nd DCA: Drew Atkinson, Morris Silberman, Daniel H. Sleet and Andrea Teves Smith.
3rd DCA: Kansas R. Gooden, Monica Gordo, Fleur Jeannine Lobree, Thomas Logue and Bronwyn Catherine Miller.
4th DCA: Alan O. Forst, Mark W. Klingensmith, Johnathan D. Lott, Shannon K. Shaw and Caroline Cahill Shepherd.
5th DCA: John M. Harris, Scott D. Makar and F. Rand Wallis.
No Sixth DCA judges are up for merit retention in 2026.
Your ballot will not contain all 22 judges. DCA retention questions depend upon where you live.
🔎 WHY RESEARCH THE DCA JUDGES TOO?
Florida's District Courts of Appeal review decisions from trial courts. For many Floridians, the DCA is effectively the final appellate court in their case because relatively few cases receive Florida Supreme Court review.
Look beyond a judge's name.
Before voting, ask:
• Who appointed the judge?
• What opinions has the judge written or joined?
• What dissents has the judge written?
• How has the judge ruled in constitutional and civil-rights cases?
• How has the judge handled due-process questions?
• Does the judge's record demonstrate adherence to precedent and the Florida Constitution?
• What does the judge's complete professional and disciplinary record show?
And remember: disagreeing with a judicial decision is different from proving judicial misconduct or corruption. Claims of corruption should be supported by documented ethics findings, disciplinary proceedings, financial conflicts, criminal evidence, or other verifiable records.
🗳️ DON'T SKIP THE JUDICIAL SECTION OF YOUR NOVEMBER 3 BALLOT.
Research every Supreme Court justice and District Court of Appeal judge who actually appears on YOUR ballot.
READ THE CASES.
READ THE DISSENTS.
RESEARCH THE APPOINTMENTS.
REVIEW THE RECORD.
THEN CAST YOUR OWN INFORMED VOTE.
📅 General Election — November 3, 2026
⚖️ Judicial accountability begins with an informed electorate.
