Identify the court first

Federal and state courts are different systems, and trial and appellate courts have different roles. A biography should be read with the court, position and service dates it actually describes. A court directory can establish membership of a body without establishing that every member is appearing on the current ballot.

Understand the judicial ballot

A judicial ballot question may ask voters to retain or elect a named judge, depending on the jurisdiction and proceeding. In a yes-or-no question, begin with the exact official wording and the published effect of each choice. Do not assume the page describes a head-to-head race, a partisan primary or a choice that applies statewide unless the source says so.