The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Matt DeVille.
DIGEST
SB 178 Original 2024 Regular Session Seabaugh
Present constitution provides that the supreme court shall be composed of a chief justice and six
associate justices, four of whom must concur to render judgment. Further provides that the term of
a justice shall be ten years.
Present constitution provides that the state shall be divided into at least six supreme court districts,
and at least one judge shall be elected from each. Further provides that the districts and number of
judges assigned to each are subject to change by law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members
of each house of the legislature.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains the composition of the court and length of term in present
constitution and provides that each justice shall be elected statewide.
Present constitution provides that the judge oldest in point of service on the supreme court shall be
chief justice.
Proposed provides that the chief justice shall be selected by a majority vote of the justices.
Specifies submission of the amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on
November 5, 2024.
(Amends Const. Art. V, Sec. 3 and Sec. 6; repeals Const. Art. V, Sec. 4)