In Washington, justices are elected in staggered nonpartisan elections. In the case of vacancies between elections, the governor appoints replacements who must win the next election to stay in office.
In recent years, the state Supreme Court has ruled on some contentious issues. In McCleary, et al. v. State of Washington, the Court ruled in 2012 that the state was failing to fulfill its constitutional obligation to amply fund public education. More recently, it has made decisions affecting evicted tenants, the tax system and voting districts, and has examined the flaws in Washington’s legal system such as exploring racism in jury selection.
Cases come to the Supreme Court primarily from
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