Full Court Press identifies and trains judicial candidates who are committed to a balanced judiciary.

Seattle
⚖️Judicial elections matter. A Seattle Times' column highlighted the work of Full Court Press and Board Chairman Rob McKenna to increase awareness and engagement in this year’s Washington State Supreme Court races. As Riley writes: “We need more balance in the courts,” said former state Attorney General Rob McKenna. “No one would argue that state courts have much ideological diversity....” Riley continued: “Through a nonprofit called Full Court Press, he and others are encouraging more of that diversity.” We encourage you to give it a read: seattletimes.com/opinion/sup…
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Just over a week until ballots must be mailed for the General Election! This November, Washingtonians will decide the future of the state Supreme Court, with 5 of the 9 justice positions on the ballot. Get informed! Learn about the candidates and their backgrounds at wasupremecourt.org.
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Thank you to TVW’s Austin Jenkins for having Full Court Press Executive Director Tim Kovis on Inside Olympia to discuss this year’s Washington Supreme Court elections. With five of nine Supreme Court seats on the ballot this fall, voters are facing an historic election. Thank you, Austin, for the thoughtful discussion and for helping Washington voters better understand these important judicial elections. Watch Inside Olympia: Supreme Court Elections on TVW. Inside Olympia - Supreme Court Elections tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375…
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In the 2026 election cycle, Washington State will hold 141 judicial elections. 11 of those races involve Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and state Supreme Court judges first appointed through the “resign-and-appoint” practice—where a sitting judge steps down mid-term and the governor names a successor, often just before the filing deadline. That move limits—or completely bypass—an open election. A first-of-its-kind statewide poll shows 72% of voters believe judges should finish their terms so voters—not politicians—choose their successors. Currently, 6 of 9 justices were initially appointed—not elected. Full Court Press is working to train and support judicial candidates who: • Apply the law based on facts and long-standing legal principles • Remain independent of political ideology • Are committed to transparency and government accountability Learn more: fullcourtpresswa.org
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According to a judicial poll conducted by Napolitan News Service, voter pamphlets still matter most when it comes to judicial elections. According to the survey, 41% say voter pamphlets are their primary source of information about judicial candidates and judges. That’s more than: • Social media - 13% • TV/radio ads - 12% • Campaign websites - 12% • Friends & family - 7% Strong public education materials remain essential in judicial campaigns. Visit wasupremecourt.org to learn more about who running for judicial office.
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🚨 Website Updated! 🚨 With five of the nine Washington State Supreme Court seats on the ballot this year, Washingtonians have a rare opportunity to help shape the future of our state's highest court. We've updated wasupremecourt.org with the latest information on the Washington State Supreme Court, the candidates running for each seat and resources to learn more about the candidates. Whether you're just beginning to learn about the judicial elections or looking for a reliable resource to share, we encourage you to visit the site and pass it along to your friends, family, and colleagues. An informed public is essential to a strong democracy. Learn more at wasupremecourt.org. This page is an independent nonpartisan educational resource and is not affiliated with any campaign, political party, or government agency. Candidate information is compiled from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current filings. Always consult sos.wa.gov and vote.wa.gov for official, up-to-date information.
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⚖️The General Election is officially set for a rare Washington State Supreme Court election on November 3rd. ⚖️ 5 of the 9 Supreme Court positions will appear on the ballot. What makes this year especially unusual: Only one incumbent is running - the Chief Justice Two open seats - highly uncommon at this level Two recently appointed justices running for the first time These dynamics make this one of the most consequential judicial elections in recent state history and could shape the future direction of the court for years to come. Here’s a look at the top two candidates in each position who received the most votes in the Primary Election and will advance to the November General Election. Visit wasupremecourt.org to learn more about these candidates.
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Great connecting with friends - and making new ones - in Clark County and Redmond! It’s always energizing to meet people who are passionate about Washington’s future and committed to making a difference. I’m looking forward to continuing to travel around Washington state, meeting great people, and identifying strong judicial candidates who can help bring greater balance to our courts. Washington’s future depends on strong, fair, and independent courts. fullcourtpresswa.org
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🚨Washington voters have a historic opportunity this November🚨 For the first time in recent history, five of the nine seats on the Washington State Supreme Court will appear on the 2026 General Election ballot🗳️. While the primary election has not yet been certified, it is becoming increasingly clear which candidates are likely to advance to the November election. Take a few minutes to learn about the candidates and the important role they play in shaping Washington law. Visit wasupremecourt.org for candidate profiles, and other voter education resources. Current Primary Results as of 8/6/26: Position 1: • Melody: 52.61% • Edwards: 29.53% • Colberg: 17.62% Position 3: • Stevens: 35.25% • Hawk: 33.25% • Diaz: 31.19% Position 5: • Angelis: 35.55% • Larson: 32.26% • Amamilo: 21.28% • Miller: 10.68% Position 7: • Stephens: 54.41% • Bloom: 27.19% • Merchant: 11.82% • Shelvey: 6.32% *Election results are unofficial until certified by county election officials.
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⌛️Just 5 days until ballots are due for Washington's Primary Election! Voter turnout is running about 2% behind the 2022 primary. This year, voters will decide which candidates advance in 4 Washington State Supreme Court races. Learn about the candidates before you vote: wasupremecourt.org. ⌛️Your vote matters
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In the 2026 election cycle, Washington State will hold 141 judicial elections. 11 of those races involve Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and state Supreme Court judges first appointed through the “resign-and-appoint” practice—where a sitting judge steps down mid-term and the governor names a successor, often just before the filing deadline. That move limits—or completely bypass—an open election. A first-of-its-kind statewide poll shows 72% of voters believe judges should finish their terms so voters—not politicians—choose their successors. Currently, 6 of 9 justices were initially appointed—not elected. Full Court Press is working to train and support judicial candidates who: • Apply the law based on facts and long-standing legal principles • Remain independent of political ideology • Are committed to transparency and government accountability Learn more: fullcourtpresswa.org
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🚨 Website Updated! 🚨 With five of the nine Washington State Supreme Court seats on the ballot this year, Washingtonians have a rare opportunity to help shape the future of our state's highest court. We've updated wasupremecourt.org with the latest information on the Washington State Supreme Court, the candidates running for each seat and resources to learn more about the candidates. Whether you're just beginning to learn about the judicial elections or looking for a reliable resource to share, we encourage you to visit the site and pass it along to your friends, family, and colleagues. An informed public is essential to a strong democracy. Learn more at wasupremecourt.org. This page is an independent nonpartisan educational resource and is not affiliated with any campaign, political party, or government agency. Candidate information is compiled from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current filings. Always consult sos.wa.gov and vote.wa.gov for official, up-to-date information.
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🚨 New Website Launch! 🚨 With five of the nine Washington State Supreme Court seats on the ballot this year, there is a rare opportunity to shape the future of our state's highest court. To help the public learn more, Full Court Press has launched wasupremecourt.org, a new educational resource with information about the Washington State Supreme Court and the candidates running for each seat. We encourage you to explore the site and share it with your friends, family, and colleagues. Judicial elections matter, and informed Washingtonians make for a stronger democracy. Visit: wasupremecourt.org
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According to a judicial poll conducted by Napolitan News Service, voter pamphlets still matter most when it comes to judicial elections. According to the survey, 41% say voter pamphlets are their primary source of information about judicial candidates and judges That’s more than: • Social media - 13% • TV/radio ads - 12% • Campaign websites - 12% • Friends & family - 7% Strong public education materials remain essential in judicial campaigns. Stay tuned for more information from Full Court Press as we continue working to help inform the public about the importance of judicial elections.
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Electoral watchdog Ballotpedia conducted an extensive analysis of Washington Supreme Court candidates from 2013 to 2022. Progressive parties won 74% of their cases, while conservative parties won 14%. Note the chart that corresponds with this finding. The report also identified party categories with the highest and lowest rates of favorable decisions regardless of ideology. This study also examined data on campaign donors and court case parties, subsequently assessing how the Court ruled to distinguish between progressive and conservative ideological leanings across various sectors and policy areas. Despite the ostensibly nonpartisan nature of Supreme Court elections, the research highlighted a considerable information gap for voters. The analysis revealed that over 99% of contributions to winning state Supreme Court candidates came from sources identified as progressive. Full Court Press is working to train judicial candidates who are not influenced by special interests in the judiciary in Washington state. You can read the full analysis here: ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_…
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⚖️Judicial elections matter. A recent Seattle Times column highlighted the work of Full Court Press and Board Chairman Rob McKenna to increase awareness and engagement in this year’s Washington State Supreme Court races. We encourage you to give it a read: seattletimes.com/opinion/sup…
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In the 2026 election cycle, Washington State will hold 141 judicial elections. 11 of those races involve Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and state Supreme Court judges first appointed through the “resign-and-appoint” practice—where a sitting judge steps down mid-term and the governor names a successor, often just before the filing deadline. That move limits—or completely bypass—an open election. A first-of-its-kind statewide poll shows 72% of voters believe judges should finish their terms so voters—not politicians—choose their successors. Currently, 6 of 9 justices were initially appointed—not elected. Full Court Press is working to train and support judicial candidates who: • Apply the law based on facts and long-standing legal principles • Remain independent of political ideology • Are committed to transparency and government accountability Learn more: fullcourtpresswa.org
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Washingtonians closely follow the legislature, governor, and attorney general—but far less attention is paid to the decisions of our state’s highest court, even though those rulings can impact public safety, taxes, constitutional rights, and voter-approved initiatives. To help close that information gap, Full Court Press has released a first-of-its-kind judicial scorecard examining key Washington State Supreme Court decisions from 2020–2026. The scorecard analyzes 12 major rulings across four categories: ✅ Public Safety ✅ Government Accountability ✅ Protection of Constitutional Rights ✅ Tort Liability It also provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of how each justice voted in these important cases. View the scorecard at Full Court Press’ website: fullcourtpresswa.org/wp-cont…
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According to a judicial poll conducted by Napolitan News Service, voter pamphlets still matter most when it comes to judicial elections. 41% of voters say voter pamphlets are their primary source of information on judicial candidates and judges. That’s more than: • Social media - 13% • TV/radio ads - 12% • Campaign websites - 12% • Friends & family - 7% Strong voter education materials remain essential in judicial campaigns. Stay tuned for more information from Full Court Press as we continue working to help inform voters about the importance of judicial elections.
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