Have you ever wondered how judges in Minnesota are chosen? It starts with the Commission on Judicial Selection. The Governor and the Supreme Court select the 49 members of the commission from the state’s ten judicial districts. Members then screen and interview potential judges and make recommendations on appointments to the Governor. You do not need to be a lawyer to serve! You just need to care about the administration of justice in our state. Join us in ensuring Minnesota’s bench remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all.
The court is currently looking for individuals with high integrity, a commitment to fairness, and a willingness to ask the tough questions from the following districts:
Third Judicial District: Non-Attorney Member
Applicants must live in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, or Winona County
Seventh Judicial District: Non-Attorney Member
Applicants must live in Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, or Wadena County
Commission members are expected to actively participate. They receive no compensation or reimbursement for expenses. The appointments will be for partial terms effective from the date of appointment and ending on the same day as the Governor’s term of office ends in January 2027. Join us in ensuring Minnesota’s bench remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all.
Individuals interested in appointment to this position must submit a letter detailing their background. Resumes are welcome but not required. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 4:30 P.M.
Letters can be submitted to Christa Rutherford-Block, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, by selecting one of the following options: via e-mail at mjcappellateclerkofcourt@courts.state.mn.us or mailed to 305 Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. E-mail is preferred. Applications must be received by the deadline.