State supreme court vacancy count for July 2024

In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and swearings in of justices from July 1, 2024, to July 25, 2024. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts.

Announced retirements:

No justices announced new retirements in the month of July 2024.

Candidates nominated, appointed, and confirmed:

A Maryland judicial nominating committee released a list of the finalists approved to succeed former Justice Michele D. Hotten, who retired in May. All four applicants for the position advanced to the final nomination list, which was sent to Governor Wes Moore (D). Moore nominated Maryland Seventh Circuit Court associate judge Peter K. Killough to fill the position. Killough awaits a confirmation from the Maryland State Senate, which will likely reconvene in the next legislative session scheduled for January 2025. Killough is Moore’s first nomination to the state’s highest court.

Justices sworn in:

Sarah E. Hennesy was ceremonially sworn into the Minnesota Supreme Court. Hennesy has served since May 2024 but was officially sworn in during a ceremony on July 25, 2024.

Other news:

Four candidates have filed to fill outgoing Justice Susan Owens‘ position on the Washington State Supreme Court. The primary is scheduled for August 6, 2024.