IOWA, USA — If you're voting in the 2024 general election, don't forget to flip your ballot over: This year, an Iowa Supreme Court justice, four Iowa Court of Appeals judges and 64 district court judges are subject to retention elections.
In judicial retention elections, voters will vote "yes" or "no" on whether certain judges can keep their jobs. If the majority of voters vote yes, the judge will remain in their role until their next term is up.
If the public votes to remove a judge, Gov. Kim Reynolds will be forced to appoint a new judge in their place once the judge vacates their position at the end of the year.
In general, replacing a judge is rare. Retention elections are designed to focus on the judges' professional competency, rather than their political opinions or controversial rulings, according to the Iowa Judicial Branch.
That's not to say retention elections are never politicized: In 2010, Iowa voters decided to remove three Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.
The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) released the results of its 2024 Judicial Performance Review, rating each of the judges up for retention on their professional competency and overall demeanor.
Here's what to know about each of the judges on your ballot.
Local 5 will have live election results on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from the presidential race, all four of Iowa's Congressional races and the balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate.
David May: Iowa Supreme Court
Justice David May is the only member of the Iowa Supreme Court up for a judicial retention vote this November.
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed May to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2022, replacing former Justice Brent Appel.
In 2023, May was one of three justices to rule in favor of the state's proposed six-week abortion ban. The controversial decision has caused some Iowans to call for his removal on Election Day.
May received middle-of-the-road ratings on the ISBA's 2024 Judicial Performance Review. He earned "good" or "satisfactory" ratings on questions related to his professional competence.
On average, respondents generally agreed May avoids undue personal observations or criticisms in his work and believe he is courteous and patient with lawyers, court personnel and litigants.
However, respondents neither agreed nor disagreed when asked if May was "not affected by outside influence."
Only 64.7% of 278 attorneys surveyed said they would vote to retain May.
Tyler Buller: Iowa Court of Appeals
Judge Tyler Buller was appointed by Reynolds to the Iowa Court of Appeals in 2022.
Prior to his time on the Court, Buller prosecuted criminal trials as Iowa's assistant attorney general.
Respondents in ISBA's 2024 Judicial Performance Review largely agreed Buller's performance is "above average." 83.8% of 173 respondents said they would vote to retain Buller.
Mary Chicchelly: Iowa Court of Appeals
Judge Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly was appointed by Reynolds to the Iowa Court of Appeals in December 2021.
Chichelly received high ratings on the 2024 Judicial Performance Review, with her lowest rating ringing in at 4.2/5 for the "clarity and quality of written opinions."
94.5% of the 183 respondents said they would vote to retain Chicchelly.
Samuel Langholz: Iowa Court of Appeals
Judge Samuel Langholz received the lowest scores on the 2024 Judicial Performance Review out of the four Court of Appeals judges up for a retention vote.
Langholz, who was appointed by Reynolds in August 2023, never rated above 3.8/5 on any specific issue. His lowest rating, 3.2/5, was in response to whether or not he "decides cases on basis of applicable law and fact, not affected by outside influence."
With 186 attorneys responding, only 64% said they would retain Langholz.
Mary Ellen Tabor: Iowa Court of Appeals
Judge Mary Ellen Tabor is the only Iowa Court of Appeals judge up for a retention vote who was not appointed by Reynolds.
Democratic Gov. Chet Culver appointed Tabor to the Iowa Court of Appeals in 2010.
Nearly 15 years later, Tabor still receives high ratings from Iowa lawyers. On the 2024 Judicial Performance Review, Tabor never received a rating lower than 4.5/5.
94% of 216 respondents said they would vote to retain Tabor this election.
District judges
The district judges on your ballot will vary by area.
For more information on where to find a sample ballot for your city or county, click here.
