Assigned to JUD FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2757
court of appeals; retention election
Purpose
Requires judges of the Arizona Court of Appeals to be elected for retention on a statewide
basis, rather than a county basis, at the general election next preceding the expiration of the judge's
term in office.
Background
The Arizona Court of Appeals is comprised of two divisions. Division 1 has 19 judges and
serves Maricopa, Yuma, La Paz, Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo and Apache counties.
Division 2 has 9 judges and serves Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Greenlee, Graham and Gila
counties (A.R.S. § 12-120). Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the Governor to serve their
initial terms, and then are subject to retention elections every six years (A.R.S. § 12-120.01).
Of the 19 Division 1 judges, 10 judges must be residents of and elected for retention from
Maricopa county, 5 judges must be residents of the remaining counties in Division 1 and elected
for retention by the voters of the counties of Division 1 except for Maricopa county, and 4 of the
judges must be at-large judges and can be residents of any county in Division 1. Of the 9 Division
2 judges, 4 judges must be residents of and elected for retention from Pima county, 2 judges must
be residents of the remaining counties in Division 2 and elected for retention by the voters of the
counties of Division 2 except for Pima county, and 3 of the judges must be at-large judges and can
be residents of any county in Division 2. The retention election for an at-large judge depends on
their county of residence (A.R.S. § 12-120.02).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires judges of the Arizona Court of Appeals to be elected for retention on a statewide
basis, rather than a county basis, at the general election next preceding the expiration of the
judge's term in office.
2. Specifies that all otherwise eligible registered voters in Arizona are eligible to vote in statewide
judge retention races.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2757
Page 2
House Action
JUD 2/15/23 DP 5-3-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/28/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 21, 2023
ZD/sr