Which of the following describes the method used to elect state court judges under the 1983 Georgia Constitution?

• A. Appointment by governor
• B. Election by general assembly
• C. Partisan election of state court judges
• D. Nonpartisan election of state court judges

Answer: (D)

State court judges are chosen by nonpartisan elections under the 1983 Georgia Constitution. This means judges for these courts run for a seat and appear on ballots without party labels, and voters decide based on qualifications rather than political party. The goal is to reduce partisan influence and keep judicial selection tied more to merit and fit for the bench than to party politics. In contrast, methods like appointment by the governor or election by the General Assembly would place selection in the hands of political branches, and choosing through partisan elections would involve party labels on ballots, which the 1983 framework for state courts does not.