Article VI § 12

Circuit judges shall be nominated and elected at non-partisan elections in the circuit in which they reside, and shall hold office for a term of six years and until their successors are elected and qualified. In circuits having more than one circuit judge their terms of office shall be arranged by law to provide that not all terms will expire at the same time.

All primary elections and elections of justices of the supreme court, judges of the circuit court, judges of probate courts and all county judicial officers provided for by the legislature under section 21 of article 7 of the constitution shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted as prescribed by law. All elections at which candidates for said judicial offices are nominated are designated “primary elections”. Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be made as now or hereafter provided by law; nominations for all other said judicial offices shall be made at non-partisan primary elections. Except as in the constitution otherwise provided, all primary election and election laws, including laws pertaining to partisan primaries and elections, shall, so far as applicable, govern nominating procedures, primary elections and elections hereunder. There shall be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent judicial officer, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office, the designation of that office.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 2, art 6, § 16, and art 6, § 24

All primary elections and elections of justices of the supreme court, judges of the circuit court, judges of probate courts and all county judicial officers provided for by the legislature under section 21 of article VII 7 of the constitution shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted hereunder as prescribed by law. For the purposes of this section, All elections at which candidates for said judicial offices are nominated are designated “primary elections”. Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be made as now or hereafter provided by law; nominations for all other said judicial offices shall be made at non-partisan primary elections. This section is declared to be self-executing. Except as in the constitution otherwise provided, all primary election and election laws, including laws pertaining to partisan primaries and elections, shall, so far as applicable, govern nominating procedures, primary elections and elections hereunder.

Nomination petitions for candidates at any primary election hereunder, in form as designated by the secretary of state, shall be filed at least 35 days before such primary election. Nomination petitions for judge of the circuit court shall be filed with the secretary of state, and for all other judicial offices affected hereby with the county clerk. Petitions shall contain the signatures, addresses and dates of signing of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than 2 per cent, nor more than 4 per cent, of the total number of votes cast for secretary of state at the last preceding November election in the judicial district or county, as applicable.

One separate judicial ballot containing no party designation shall be used for primary elections and elections hereunder. Such ballots shall contain the names of the candidates certified, or the nominees nominated, as provided herein. There shall be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent judicial officer, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office, the designation of that office. At any such primary election no voter shall vote for more candidates for any office than the number to be elected thereto. The candidates receiving the largest number of votes at any such primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled, shall be nominated.

If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions for the primary election of said judicial officers, it shall appear that as to any such judicial office on any non-partisan ticket there is no opposition, then the officer with whom such petitions are filed shall certify to the proper board of election commissioners the name of such candidate for said judicial office whose petitions have been properly filed, and such candidate shall be the nominee for such judicial office and shall be so certified. As to such judicial office there shall be no primary election and such judicial office shall be omitted from the judicial primary election ballot. The provisions of this paragraph shall likewise apply where more than 1 candidate is to be nominated for any judicial office and there are no more candidates than there are persons to be nominated.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 2, art 6, § 16, and art 6, § 24

All primary elections and elections of justices of the supreme court, judges of the circuit court, judges of probate courts and all county judicial officers provided for by the legislature under section 21 of article VII of the constitution shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted hereunder. For the purposes of this section, all elections at which candidates for said judicial offices are nominated are designated “primary elections”. Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be made as now or hereafter provided by law; nominations for all other said judicial offices shall be made at non-partisan primary elections. This section is declared to be self-executing. Except as in the constitution otherwise provided, all primary election and election laws, including laws pertaining to partisan primaries and elections, shall, so far as applicable, govern primary elections and elections hereunder.

Nomination petitions for candidates at any primary election hereunder, in form as designated by the secretary of state, shall be filed at least 35 days before such primary election. Nomination petitions for judge of the circuit court shall be filed with the secretary of state, and for all other judicial offices affected hereby with the county clerk. Petitions shall contain the signatures, addresses and dates of signing of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than 2 per cent, nor more than 4 per cent, of the total number of votes cast for secretary of state at the last preceding November election in the judicial district or county, as applicable.

One separate judicial ballot containing no party designation shall be used for primary elections and elections hereunder. Such ballots shall contain the names of the candidates certified, or the nominees nominated, as provided herein. There shall be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent judicial officer, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office, the designation of that office. At any such primary election no voter shall vote for more candidates for any office than the number to be elected thereto. The candidates receiving the largest number of votes at any such primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled, shall be nominated.

If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions for the primary election of said judicial officers, it shall appear that as to any such judicial office on any non-partisan ticket there is no opposition, then the officer with whom such petitions are filed shall certify to the proper board of election commissioners the name of such candidate for said judicial office whose petitions have been properly filed, and such candidate shall be the nominee for such judicial office and shall be so certified. As to such judicial office there shall be no primary election and such judicial office shall be omitted from the judicial primary election ballot. The provisions of this paragraph shall likewise apply where more than 1 candidate is to be nominated for any judicial office and there are no more candidates than there are persons to be nominated.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 2, art 6, § 16, and art 6, § 24

All primary elections and elections of justices of the supreme court, judges of the circuit court, judges of probate courts and all county judicial officers provided for by the legislature under section 21 of article VII of the constitution shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted hereunder. For the purposes of this section, all elections at which candidates for said judicial offices are nominated are designated “primary elections”. Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be made as now or hereafter provided by law; nominations for all other said judicial offices shall be made at non-partisan primary elections. This section is declared to be self-executing. Except as in the constitution otherwise provided, all primary election and election laws, including laws pertaining to partisan primaries and elections, shall, so far as applicable, govern primary elections and elections hereunder.

Nomination petitions for candidates at any primary election hereunder, in form as designated by the secretary of state, shall be filed at least thirty-five 35 days before such primary election. Nomination petitions for judge of the circuit court shall be filed with the secretary of state, and for all other judicial offices affected hereby with the county clerk. Petitions shall contain the signatures, addresses and dates of signing of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than two 2 per cent, nor more than four 4 per cent, of the total number of votes cast for secretary of state at the last preceding November election in the judicial district or county, as applicable.

One separate judicial ballot containing no party designation shall be used for primary elections and elections hereunder. Such ballots shall contain the names of the candidates certified, or the nominees nominated, as provided herein. There shall be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent judicial officer, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office, the designation of that office. At any such primary election no voter shall vote for more candidates for any office than the number to be elected thereto. The candidates receiving the largest number of votes at any such primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled, shall be nominated.

If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions for the primary election of said judicial officers, it shall appear that as to any such judicial office on any non-partisan ticket there is no opposition, then the officer with whom such petitions are filed shall certify to the proper board of election commissioners the name of such candidate for said judicial office whose petitions have been properly filed, and such candidate shall be the nominee for such judicial office and shall be so certified. As to such judicial office there shall be no primary election and such judicial office shall be omitted from the judicial primary election ballot. The provisions of this paragraph shall likewise apply where more than 1 candidate is to be nominated for any judicial office and there are no more candidates than there are persons to be nominated.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 2, art 6, § 16, and art 6, § 24

All primary elections and elections of justices of the supreme court, judges of the circuit court, judges of probate courts and all county judicial officers provided for by the legislature under section 21 of article VII of the constitution shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted hereunder. For the purposes of this section, all elections at which candidates for said judicial offices are nominated are designated “primary elections”. Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be made as now or hereafter provided by law; nominations for all other said judicial offices shall be made at non-partisan primary elections. This section is declared to be self-executing. Except as in the constitution otherwise provided, all primary election and election laws, including laws pertaining to partisan primaries and elections, shall, so far as applicable, govern primary elections and elections hereunder.

Nomination petitions for candidates at any primary election hereunder, in form as designated by the secretary of state, shall be filed at least thirty-five days before such primary election. Nomination petitions for judge of the circuit court shall be filed with the secretary of state, and for all other judicial offices affected hereby with the county clerk. Petitions shall contain the signatures, addresses and dates of signing of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than two per cent, nor more than four per cent, of the total number of votes cast for secretary of state at the last preceding November election in the judicial district or county, as applicable.

One separate judicial ballot containing no party designation shall be used for primary elections and elections hereunder. Such ballots shall contain the names of the candidates certified, or the nominees nominated, as provided herein. There shall be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent judicial officer, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office, the designation of that office. At any such primary election no voter shall vote for more candidates for any office than the number to be elected thereto. The candidates receiving the largest number of votes at any such primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled, shall be nominated.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 2, art 6, § 16, and art 6, § 24

Circuit judges shall be elected on the first Monday in April, nineteen hundred eleven, and every sixth year thereafter. They shall hold office for a term of six years and until their successors are elected and qualified. They shall be ineligible to any other than a judicial office during the term for which they are elected and for one year thereafter.

See also: Const 1963, art 2, § 5 and art 6, § 21

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay, Washtenaw, Genesee, Ingham and Jackson and the counties in the judicial circuit in which the county of Isabella is or may be situated in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay the circuit judge of the judicial circuit, to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors. This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay, and Washtenaw, and the county of Genesee, Ingham and Jackson and the counties in the judicial circuit in which the county of Isabella is or may be situated in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay the circuit judge of the judicial circuit, to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors. This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay and Washtenaw and the county of Genesee in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors. This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay and Washtenaw and the county of Genesee in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.¶ This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the City of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the County of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the County of Kent is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the County of St. Clair is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay and Washtenaw in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.

This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for a the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the City of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the County of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the County of Kent is or may be situated, [and in the judicial circuit in which the County of St. Clair is or may be situated.] And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula, and in the counties of Bay and Washtenaw in the Lower Peninsula, is hereby authorized and empowered to give and to pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.

This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into Judicial Circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for a term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, [and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated.] And the circuit judge or judges of such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the Board of Supervisors of said county. And the Board of Supervisors of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such Board of Supervisors.

This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into Judicial Circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the a term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated, [and in the judicial circuit in which the county of St. Clair is or may be situated.] And the circuit judge or judges of said such circuits, in addition to the salary provided by this the constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the boards Board of Supervisors of said counties county. And the Board of Supervisors of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such said county is attached, such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such Board of Supervisors.

This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of said circuits, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the boards of supervisors of said counties. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such county is attached such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors. This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of said circuits, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the boards of supervisors of said counties. And the board of supervisors of each county in the Upper Peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such county is attached such additional salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors. This section as amended shall take effect from the time of its adoption.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated. And the circuit judge or judges of said circuits, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from their respective counties such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the boards of supervisors of said counties.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the county of Saginaw is or may be situated., And the circuit judge, or judges of said circuit circuits, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from said county of Wayne their respective counties such additional salary as may, from time to time, be fixed and determined by the board boards of supervisors of said county counties; and the board of supervisors of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such county is attached, such additional salary, or compensation, as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and the circuit judge, or judges of said circuit, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from said county of Wayne such additional salary as may, from time to time, be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county; and the board of supervisors of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such county is attached, such additional salary, or compensation, as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. (The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and the circuit judge, or judges of said circuit, in addition to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from said county of Wayne such additional salary as may, from time to time, be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county); and the board of supervisors of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial circuit to which such county is attached, such additional salary, or compensation, as may from time to time be fixed and determined by such board of supervisors.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into judicial circuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. (The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and the circuit judge or judges of said circuit in addition to the salary provided by this constitution shall receive from said county of Wayne such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county).

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into eight judicial circuits;, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. (The legislature may provide for the election of more than one circuit judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is or may be situated, and the circuit judge or judges of said circuit in addition to the salary provided by this constitution shall receive from said county of Wayne such additional salary as may from time to time be fixed and determined by the board of supervisors of said county).

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 18

The State shall be divided into eight judicial circuits; in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, and until his successor is elected and qualified.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11

Judges of all county courts, associate judges of circuit courts, and judges of probate, shall be elected by the qualified electors of the county in which they reside, and shall hold their offices for four years.

See also: Const 1963, art 6, § 11 and art 6, § 16