Alaska’s State judges are selected based on their professional qualifications, not political campaigns. Alaska’s process for selecting judges is rigorous. Here is what they face in this process to ensure we have the best judiciary in the nation:

1. Written Application. Applicants submit a 28 page written application and list of references to the Alaska Judicial Council (AJC), a nonpartisan group consisting of three members of the public, three members of the Alaska Bar Association, and the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court.
2. Professional Surveys. On behalf of the AJC an independent contractor sends detailed questionnaires to all active members of the Alaska Bar, which includes judges, asking them to rate the applicant based on the following criteria:
   1. Professional competence
   2. Integrity
   3. Judicial temperament
   4. Fairness
   5. Experience
   6. Overall professional qualifications
3. References and Background Check. The AJC contacts Present and Past employers, calls the applicant’s general character references, and sends detailed questionnaires to each of the attorneys and judges who have been involved in cases with the applicant, asking about the applicant’s suitability for nomination as a judge. The information gathered includes:
   • Type of law practice
   • Criminal, judicial or Alaska Bar disciplinary history
   • Community service
   • Any public or political office previously held
4. Public Comments. Public testimony is collected via writing, website submission, and public hearings.
5. Interview. The applicant is interviewed by members of the AJC to further review the findings of surveys and public comments.
6. Evaluation and Nomination. The AJC reviews the information gathered, evaluating:
   • professional competence
   • diligence
   • administrative skills
   • integrity
   • fairness
   • temperament
   • demonstrated commitment to public and community service
   • life experience
   • judgment/common sense
   • demonstrated commitment to equal justice and legal needs of diverse communities in Alaska.

   The AJC is prohibited from considering religious or political beliefs, anonymous comments or the likelihood of appointment by the governor. After this thorough evaluation and consideration, the Council nominates a select number of the most highly qualified applicants for consideration by the Governor.

7. Selection by the Governor. The Governor appoints a judge chosen from the top applicants.
8. Public Retention Vote. After serving a few years as a judge, the public votes on whether the judge can keep serving Alaskans. This is the judicial retention process.