Judges 2026 › Missouri › Judges on the ballot
Judges on the Missouri ballot in November 2026
Missouri voters see 50 retention questions, 22 county-level judicial races in the counties we track on the November 3, 2026 ballot in the races The Ballot Brief tracks. Retention questions are a yes-or-no vote on keeping a sitting judge; elected seats work like any other race.
Judicial retention votes: yes or no on keeping a judge
Missouri Supreme Court
Paul C. Wilson
Retention: yes or no
Judge Wilson was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court by Gov. Jay Nixon in December 2012 and was retained by voters in November 2014 for a 12-year term; he served as Chief Justice from July 2021 to June 2023. He previously was a circuit judge in Cole County and worked in the Missouri Attorney General's office; he holds a law degree from the University of Missouri.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District
Virginia W. Lay
Retention: yes or noEastern District
Judge Lay was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, by Gov. Mike Parson on November 8, 2024, and assumed office November 26, 2024, filling the vacancy left by Judge Kurt Odenwald. She previously served as an associate circuit judge and then circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County) and earlier as a prosecutor in the City of St. Louis and Jackson County; she holds a law degree from Washington University School of Law.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Rebeca Navarro-McKelvey
Retention: yes or noEastern District
Judge Navarro-McKelvey was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, by Gov. Mike Parson on December 8, 2023, and assumed office March 18, 2024, elevated from the St. Charles County circuit court, to which she had been elected in 2020. She previously prosecuted in St. Charles County and the City of St. Louis and holds a law degree from the University of Missouri.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Angela Turner Quigless
Retention: yes or noEastern District
Judge Quigless was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, by Gov. Jay Nixon on April 12, 2012, and was retained by voters in 2014. She previously served as an associate circuit judge (1995-2003) and circuit judge (2003-2012) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), and earlier as an Assistant U.S. Attorney; she holds a law degree from St. Louis University School of Law.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District
Matthew P. Hamner
Retention: yes or noSouthern District
Judge Hamner was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, by Gov. Mike Parson on March 15, 2024, and assumed office April 1, 2024. He previously was a circuit and juvenile judge in the 26th Judicial Circuit (Camden, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau and Morgan counties), first elected associate circuit judge in Camden County in 2014 and elevated to the circuit bench by Gov. Eric Greitens in 2017; he holds a law degree from the University of Missouri.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District
Lisa White Hardwick
Retention: yes or noWestern District
Judge Hardwick has served on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, since her May 2001 appointment, and was retained in 2002 and 2014 for a 12-year term expiring December 31, 2026; she served as chief judge from 2010 to 2012. She previously was a circuit judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County) from 2000 to 2010 and a partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon; she holds a law degree from Harvard University.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County)
Myles A. Perry
Retention: yes or no6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County)
Myles A. Perry is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 1) in the 6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County)
David P. Chamberlain
Retention: yes or no7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County)
David P. Chamberlain is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 4) in the 7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Kenneth R. Garrett, III
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Kenneth R. Garrett, III is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 2) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Patrick C. Edwards
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Patrick C. Edwards is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 4) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Lauren D. Barrett
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Lauren D. Barrett is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 14) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Cory L. Atkins
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Cory L. Atkins is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 17) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Kevin D. Harrell
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Kevin D. Harrell is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 18) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Richard M. Stewart
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Richard M. Stewart is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 2) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
John Borbonus
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
John Borbonus is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 6) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Mary Elizabeth Ott
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Mary Elizabeth Ott is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 7) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Amanda B. McNelley
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Amanda B. McNelley is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 8) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Jeffery McPherson
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Jeffery McPherson is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 16) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Lorne Baker
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Lorne Baker is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 17) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Matt Hearne
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Matt Hearne is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 20) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Ellen Wyatt Dunne
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Ellen Wyatt Dunne is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 21) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Clinton Robert Wright
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Clinton Robert Wright is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 2) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Elizabeth Byrne Hogan
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Elizabeth Byrne Hogan is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 3) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Katherine M. Fowler
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Katherine M. Fowler is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 4) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Annette Llewellyn
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Annette Llewellyn is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 5) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Joseph P. Whyte
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Joseph P. Whyte is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 7) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Timothy J. Boyer
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Timothy J. Boyer is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 8) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Scott A. Millikan
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Scott A. Millikan is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 9) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Calea Stovall-Reid
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Calea Stovall-Reid is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 10) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Madeline Orling Connolly
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Madeline Orling Connolly is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 12) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Heather J. Hays
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Heather J. Hays is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 14) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
David A. Roither
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
David A. Roither is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 15) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Michael F. Stelzer
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Michael F. Stelzer is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 30) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Circuit Court, 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County)
Nathan Taylor
Retention: yes or no31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County)
Nathan Taylor is certified to stand for retention as circuit judge (Division 7) in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County)
Susan M. Casey
Retention: yes or no6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County)
Susan M. Casey is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 4) in the 6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County)
Karen L. Krauser
Retention: yes or no7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County)
Karen L. Krauser is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 6) in the 7th Judicial Circuit (Clay County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Abbie Rothermich
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Abbie Rothermich is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 25) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
R. Travis Willingham
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
R. Travis Willingham is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 26) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Kea S. Bird-Riley
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Kea S. Bird-Riley is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 27) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Mary Frances Weir
Retention: yes or no16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)
Mary Frances Weir is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 31) in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Julia Pusateri Lasater
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Julia Pusateri Lasater is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 32) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Nicolette Antonia Klapp
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Nicolette Antonia Klapp is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 33) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Justin W. Ruth
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Justin W. Ruth is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 34) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Jason K. Lewis
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Jason K. Lewis is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 35) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Kelly Snyder
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Kelly Snyder is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 39) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Mondonna L. Ghasedi
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Mondonna L. Ghasedi is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 43) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Chastidy Dillon-Amelung
Retention: yes or no21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
Chastidy Dillon-Amelung is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 44) in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Michael R. Dauphin
Retention: yes or no22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Michael R. Dauphin is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 28) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (City of St. Louis), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Missouri Associate Circuit Court, 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County)
Philip M. Fuhrman
Retention: yes or no31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County)
Philip M. Fuhrman is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 21) in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
Margaret Palmietto
Retention: yes or no31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County)
Margaret Palmietto is certified to stand for retention as associate circuit judge (Division 22) in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County), per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified list of judicial candidates who filed declarations of candidacy to succeed themselves (Article V, Section 25(c), certified August 25, 2026). Individual biographical detail was not independently researched given the volume of circuit-level retention races.
What a yes vote does: keeps the judge for another term; a no vote removes the judge at the end of the term.
How retention votes work
Missouri uses the Nonpartisan Court Plan: the Governor appoints Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges (and circuit/associate circuit judges in the plan's designated circuits) from a list submitted by a judicial nominating commission. Each judge's name then appears alone on a separate nonpartisan judicial ballot as a yes/no retention question after roughly one year in office, and again at the end of each term (12 years for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges, 6 years for circuit and associate circuit judges in the plan circuits). A majority yes vote retains the judge; if not retained, the seat is filled again through the nominating-commission process.
Source: sos.mo.gov, as of 2026-09-04.
County and trial-court judicial races we track
Trial judges, county courts and other judicial offices from the county pages we have built (21 counties so far). Each link opens that race's page.
- Circuit Judge, 32nd Judicial Circuit, Division 1 Bollinger County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, Division 4 Boone County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 36th Judicial Circuit Butler County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, Division 4 Callaway County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 26th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Camden County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 32nd Judicial Circuit, Division 1 Cape Girardeau County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 36th Judicial Circuit Carter County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Cole County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Cole County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Crawford County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Dent County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Iron County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 23rd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Jefferson County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 26th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Laclede County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 26th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Miller County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 26th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Moniteau County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 26th Judicial Circuit, Division 3 Morgan County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 32nd Judicial Circuit, Division 1 Perry County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Reynolds County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 36th Judicial Circuit Ripley County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Division 1 St Charles County · 1 candidate
- Circuit Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit, Division 2 Wayne County · 1 candidate
Everything else on your Missouri ballot · Your exact ballot by ZIP code