How are judges selected in Georgia, distinguishing vacancies from open seats?

• A. The governor can appoint people to vacant/newly created judgeships; appellate and superior court judges have six- and four-year initial terms; judges are selected through nonpartisan elections
• B. All judges are elected in partisan elections
• C. Judges are appointed for life by the governor
• D. The legislature appoints judges

Answer: (A)

Georgia uses a hybrid approach for selecting judges. When a seat becomes vacant during a term or a new judgeship is created, the governor fills it by appointment. That appointee serves temporarily until the next general election, at which point voters choose to continue serving in that seat. The length of that initial term depends on the court: appellate judges come in with a six-year initial term, while superior court judges have a four-year initial term. After this first election, judges are then selected in nonpartisan elections to continue serving for subsequent terms.