The selection of judges to state courts is variable.
Appointed:California, Maine, New Jersey, Virginia
Merit Selection:Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming
Nonpartisans Election: Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin
Partisan Election:Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia
Governor or Legislative Appointment: In 4 states, judges are appointed by the
governor or (in South Carolina and Virginia) the legislature. Gubernatorial appointments
usually require the consent of the upper house of the legislature or the participation of a special commission such as an executive council. In most of these states, judges serve a term (ranging from 6 to 14 years) and then may be reappointed in the same manner. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, judges enjoy lifetime or near-lifetime tenure.
Merit Plan: In 23 states, judges are nominated by a nonpartisan commission, and
then appointed by the governor. Judges serve a term and then are subject to a retention election, where they run alone, and voters can either approve another term or vote against them. Terms vary but on the whole are less than those in appointment states.
Nonpartisan Election: In 15 states, judges run for election. Their political
affiliations are not listed on the ballot, and so voters, unless specifically informed, do not know a candidate's political party. These judges serve a term and then may run for
reelection. The terms range from 6 to 10 years.
Partisan Election: In 8 states, judges run for election as a member of a political
party. They serve a term in the range of 6 to 10 years for the most part and then may run for reelection.
It depends on the state. Some states elect, some states appoint.
Appointed
Elected.
(in the US) Federal judges are not elected, they are appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate.
A legislative committee will choose a state judge in some states. Some states will have retention elections. Other states will have their state judges appointed by the legislature or governor.
Elected It would be better if they were appointed in my mind. Then the judge isn't dependent on elections and politics to get into office. Less likely to be swayed by those the contribute to their funds.
Superior and State Court judges are elected. Lower courts' judges (magistrate, juvenile, probate, etc) are appointed.
Appointed by the President and approved by Congress.
Judge Owens was elected to the bench. He was not appointed to a partial term by the JNC/ Governor prior to taking office.
It can vary from state-to-state and depends on whether they are elected or appointed.
Canadian judges are appointed by the Judicial Board. This is to makes sure the judge knows what he's doing and isn't just popular with the people
The county official that is elected rather than appointed will depend upon the county. Each county has their own rules of who is elected and/or appointed.