Oregon Supreme Court
Court Information
Justices: 7
Founded: 1859
Location:Salem, Oregon
Salary
Associates: $220,596[1]
Judicial Selection
Method:Nonpartisan election
Term: 6 years
Active justices
Stephen K. Bushong,Roger J. DeHoog,Rebecca Duncan,Meagan A. Flynn,Chris Garrett,Bronson James,Aruna Masih

Founded in 1859, theOregon Supreme Court is the state'scourt of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court isMeagan A. Flynn.

As of September 2023, all seven judges on the court were appointed by a Democratic governor.

The Oregon Supreme Court meets in the Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon.^[2]

In Oregon, state supreme court justices are elected in nonpartisan elections. There are 13 states that use this selection method. To read more about the nonpartisan election of judges,click here.

Jurisdiction

The Oregon supreme court is the highest court in the state. The Oregon Supreme Court has discretionary jurisdiction to review decisions from theOregon Court of Appeals. The court also "hears direct appeals in death penalty, lawyer and judicial discipline, and Oregon Tax Court cases," "may accept original jurisdiction inmandamus,quo warranto, andhabeas corpus proceedings," and "reviews ballot measure titles, prison siting disputes, reapportionment of legislative districts and legal questions on Oregon law referred by federal courts."^[3]

The chief justice is the administrative head of the judicial department and also exercises administrative authority over the appellate, circuit, and tax courts. The chief justice creates rules and procedures for judges, officers, and employees of the courts. The chief justice appoints the chief judge of the court of appeals and presiding judges of state trial courts. The chief justice oversees statewide budgeting, accounting, and fiscal management of the judicial branch.^[4]

The supreme court admits lawyers to practice law through theOregon Board of Bar Examiners and it has the power to reprimand or disbar lawyers. The supreme court also has the power to censure, suspend, or remove judges.^[5]

The following text from Article VII, Sections 1, 2, and 3 of theOregon Constitution covers the jurisdiction of the court:

Justices

The table below lists the current justices of the Oregon Supreme Court, their political party, when they assumed office, and the appointing governor.

Salary

See also:Oregon court salaries and budgets

In 2025, the justices of the court received a salary of $220,596, according to the National Center for State Courts.^[7]

Judicial selection

See also:Judicial selection in Oregon

Theseven justices on theOregon Supreme Court are selected throughnonpartisan elections.^[8] Judges' terms begin on the first Monday in January following their election.^[9]

Judges serve six-year terms. Judges seeking to serve more than one term must stand for re-election.^[8]

Qualifications

To serve on this court, a judge must be:

• a U.S. citizen;
• a state resident for at least three years;
• a state bar member; and
• under the age of 75.^[8]

Chief justice

Thechief justice is selected by peer vote and serves in that capacity for a six-year term.

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, thegovernor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election occurring 61 or more days after the vacancy, at which point he or she may run for election.^[8]The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

Elections

See also:Oregon Supreme Court elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2030

Oregon Supreme Court Position 1

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 2

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 3

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 5

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 7

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 6

See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2028

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 4

See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2026

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2024

Oregon Supreme Court Position 1

General election

General election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 1

IncumbentStephen K. Bushong (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen K. Bushong (Nonpartisan)	97.9	1,221,817
		Other/Write-in votes	2.1%	26,077

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,247,894
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary

The primary scheduled for May 21, 2024, was canceled. IncumbentStephen K. Bushong (Nonpartisan) advanced from the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 1 without appearing on the ballot.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 2

General election

The general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 2

IncumbentRebecca Duncan (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 2 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rebecca Duncan (Nonpartisan)	97.8	584,752
		Other/Write-in votes	2.2%	12,979

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 597,731
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 3

General election

The general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 3

IncumbentMeagan A. Flynn (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 3 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Meagan A. Flynn (Nonpartisan)	97.9	580,295
		Other/Write-in votes	2.1%	12,567

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 592,862
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 5

General election

The general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 5

IncumbentAruna Masih (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 5 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Aruna Masih (Nonpartisan)	97.8	571,880
		Other/Write-in votes	2.2%	12,895

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 584,775
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 7

General election

General election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 7

IncumbentBronson James (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 7 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bronson James (Nonpartisan)	98.1	1,212,011
		Other/Write-in votes	1.9%	23,702

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,235,713
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary

The primary scheduled for May 21, 2024, was canceled. IncumbentBronson James (Nonpartisan) advanced from the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 7 without appearing on the ballot.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 6

See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2022

General election

The general election scheduled for November 8, 2022, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 6

IncumbentRoger J. DeHoog (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 6 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Roger J. DeHoog (Nonpartisan)	98.2	613,950
		Other/Write-in votes	1.8%	11,515

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 625,465
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2020

Oregon Supreme Court Position 1

General election

The general election scheduled for November 3, 2020, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 1

IncumbentThomas Balmer (Nonpartisan) won election outright againstVan Pounds (Nonpartisan) in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 1 on May 19, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thomas Balmer (Nonpartisan)	70.8	727,421
		Van Pounds (Nonpartisan)	28.8	295,887
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4%	3,638

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,026,946
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 4

General election

Special general election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 4

IncumbentChris Garrett (Nonpartisan) won election in the special general election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Garrett (Nonpartisan)	97.3	1,366,654
		Other/Write-in votes	2.7%	38,206

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,404,860
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary

The primary scheduled for May 19, 2020, was canceled. IncumbentChris Garrett (Nonpartisan) advanced from the special primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 4 without appearing on the ballot.

Oregon Supreme Court Position 7

General election

The general election scheduled for November 3, 2020, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 7

IncumbentMartha L. Walters (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 7 on May 19, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Martha L. Walters (Nonpartisan)	98.7	828,329
		Other/Write-in votes	1.3%	10,625

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 838,954
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 2

General election

The general election scheduled for November 6, 2018, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 2

IncumbentRebecca Duncan (Nonpartisan) won election outright in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 2 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rebecca Duncan (Nonpartisan)	100.0	521,465

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 521,465
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 3

General election

The general election scheduled for November 6, 2018, was canceled.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 3

IncumbentMeagan A. Flynn (Nonpartisan) won election outright againstVan Pounds (Nonpartisan) in the primary for Oregon Supreme Court Position 3 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Meagan A. Flynn (Nonpartisan)	73.5	498,925
		Van Pounds (Nonpartisan)	26.5	179,629

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 678,554
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Oregon Supreme Court Position 5

General election

General election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 5

IncumbentAdrienne Nelson (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Oregon Supreme Court Position 5 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Adrienne Nelson (Nonpartisan)	98.2	1,059,178
		Other/Write-in votes	1.8%	19,514

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,078,692
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Previous election results

2016

Main article:Oregon Supreme Court elections, 2016

Three seats on theOregon Supreme Court were up for election in 2016. These seats were held byRives Kistler,Lynn Nakamoto, andJack Landau heading into the election. Each justice elected to the court serves a six-year term. Two seats were elected on May 17; the remaining seat was elected on November 8, 2016.

JusticesRives Kistler andJack Landau both ran unopposed and were re-elected on May 17. JusticeLynn Nakamoto ran unopposed and was elected on November 8.

November 8 candidates

Position 6

■Lynn Nakamoto(Incumbent/Unopposed)

November 8 election results

Oregon Supreme Court, Position 6, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Lynn NakamotoIncumbent (unopposed)	97.85%	1,140,090
Write-in votes	2.15%	25,033
Total Votes (100% reporting)		1,165,123
Source:Oregon Secretary of State Official Results

May 17 candidates

Position 4

■Rives Kistler(Incumbent/Unopposed)

Position 5

■Jack Landau(Incumbent/Unopposed)

May 17 election results

Oregon Supreme Court, Position 4, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Rives KistlerIncumbent (unopposed)	98.66%	645,539
Write-in votes	1.34%	8,781
Total Votes (100% reporting)		654,320
Source:Oregon Secretary of State Official Results

Oregon Supreme Court, Position 5, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jack LandauIncumbent (unopposed)	98.80%	644,620
Write-in votes	1.2%	7,817
Total Votes (100% reporting)		652,437
Source:Oregon Secretary of State Official Results

2014

Unopposed	JudgeThomas Balmer (Position 1)

Unopposed	JudgeMartha Walters (Position 7)

2012

See also:Oregon judicial elections, 2012

Candidate	Incumbency	Position	Primary Vote	Election Vote
BrewerDavid V. Brewer   A	No		99.34%A	A
CookNena Cook	No	Position 3	40.05%A	48.24%   A
BaldwinRichard C. Baldwin   A	No	Position 3	33.42%A	51.02%   A
SercombeTimothy Sercombe	No	Position 4	26.08%

2010

See also:2010 State Supreme Court elections

IncumbentJack Landau facedAllan J. Arlow and was re-elected.

Oregon Supreme Court 2010 General election results

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Jack Landau	n/a	72%
Allan J. Arlow	n/a	18%

IncumbentRives Kistler ran unopposed and was re-elected.

Oregon Supreme Court 2010 General election results

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Rives Kistler	n/a	98.8%

2008

See also:State Supreme Court elections, 2008

Thomas Balmer ran unopposed and was re-elected.

Oregon Supreme Court 2008 General election results

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Thomas Balmer	n/a	n/a

Martha Lee Walters ran unopposed and was re-elected.

Oregon Supreme Court 2008 General election results

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Martha Lee Walters	n/a	n/a

Appointments

2023

See also:Oregon Supreme Court justice vacancy (February 2023)

GovernorTina Kotek (D) appointedAruna Masih to theOregon Supreme Court. JusticeAdrienne Nelson resigned after she was elevated to theU.S. District Court of Oregon on February 23, 2023. Masih wasGovernorKotek's (D) first nominee to the seven-member supreme court.

In Oregon, state supreme court justices are elected in nonpartisan elections. There are 13 states that use this selection method. To read more about the nonpartisan election of judges,click here. If an interim vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a candidate to serve until the following general election. The next primary election was scheduled onMay 21, 2024, with a general election scheduled onNovember 5, 2024. Masih will have the opportunity to run for a full term.

2022

Justice Walters vacancy

See also:Oregon Supreme Court Justice Walters vacancy (December 2022)

Oregon GovernorKate Brown (D) appointedBronson James to theOregon Supreme Court effective January 1, 2023. James succeeded JusticeMartha Walters, who retired on December 31, 2022.^[10] Walters' replacement will be Governor Kate Brown's (D) seventh nominee to the seven-member supreme court.

At the time of the vacancy under Oregon law, thegovernor appointed a replacement. The appointee served until the next general election occurring 60 or more days after the appointment, at which point they could run for election.

Justice Balmer vacancy

See also:Oregon Supreme Court Justice Balmer vacancy (December 2022)

Oregon GovernorKate Brown (D) appointedStephen K. Bushong to theOregon Supreme Court effective January 1, 2023. Bushong succeeded JusticeThomas Balmer, who retired on December 31, 2022.^[11] Balmer's replacement wasGovernorKate Brown's (D) sixth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.

At the time of the vacancy under Oregon law, thegovernor appointed a replacement. The appointee served until the next general election occurring 60 or more days after the appointment, at which point they could run for election.

2021

See also:Oregon Supreme Court justice vacancy (December 2021)

GovernorKate Brown (D) appointedRoger J. DeHoog to theOregon Supreme Court on January 19, 2022.^[12] DeHoog succeeded JusticeLynn Nakamoto, who retired from the court on December 31, 2021.^[13] DeHoog was Gov. Brown's sixth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.

At the time of the appointment, midterm vacancies on the court were filled by gubernatorial appointment.

2018

See also:Oregon Supreme Court justice vacancy (December 2018)

Oregon Supreme Court JusticeRives Kistler retired December 31, 2018.^[14] On December 24, 2018, Gov.Kate Brown (D) appointed JudgeChris Garrett to succeed Kistler.^[15] Garrett was Brown's fifth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.
Under Oregon law, the governor appoints a replacement in the event of a mid-term vacancy on the state supreme court. Justice Kistler's term was set to expire January 1, 2023. Garrett's appointment was effective January 1, 2019.^[15]

Caseloads

The table below details the number of cases filed with the court and the number of opinions issued by the court between 2008 and 2016.^[16] As of September 2024, data more recent than 2014 was not available online.

Analysis

Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters (2021)

See also:Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters

In 2020, Ballotpedia publishedBallotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters, a study on how state supreme court justices decided the cases that came before them. Our goal was to determine which justices ruled together most often, which frequently dissented, and which courts featured the most unanimous or contentious decisions.

The study tracked the position taken by each state supreme court justice in every case they decided in 2020, then tallied the number of times the justices on the court ruled together. We identified the following types of justices:

• We considered two justicesopinion partners if they frequently concurred or dissented together throughout the year.
• We considered justices adissenting minority if they frequently opposed decisions together as a -1 minority.
• We considered a group of justices adetermining majority if they frequently determined cases by a +1 majority throughout the year.
• We considered a justice alone dissenter if he or she frequently dissented alone in cases throughout the year.

Summary of cases decided in 2020

• Number of justices: 7
• Number of cases: 53
• Percentage of cases with a unanimous ruling: 88.7% (47)
• Justice most often writing the majority opinion: Justice Balmer (10)
• Per curiam decisions: 8
• Concurring opinions: 2
• Justice with most concurring opinions: Justice Duncan (1)
• Dissenting opinions: 6
• Justice with most dissenting opinions: Justice Balmer (2)

For the study's full set of findings in Oregon, clickhere.

Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship (2020)

See also:Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship

Last updated: June 15, 2020

In 2020, Ballotpedia publishedBallotpedia Courts: State Partisanship, a study examining the partisan affiliation of all state supreme court justices in the country as of June 15, 2020.

The study presentedConfidence Scores that represented our confidence in each justice's degree of partisan affiliation, based on a variety of factors. This was not a measure of where a justice fell on the political or ideological spectrum, but rather a measure of how much confidence we had that a justice was or had been affiliated with a political party. To arrive at confidence scores we analyzed each justice's past partisan activity by collecting data on campaign finance, past political positions, party registration history, as well as other factors. The five categories ofConfidence Scores were:

• Strong Democrat
• Mild Democrat
• Indeterminate^[23]
• Mild Republican
• Strong Republican

We used the Confidence Scores of each justice to develop a Court Balance Score, which attempted to show the balance among justices with Democratic, Republican, and Indeterminate Confidence Scores on a court. Courts with higher positive Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Republican Confidence Scores, while courts with lower negative Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Democratic Confidence Scores. Courts closest to zero either had justices with conflicting partisanship or justices with Indeterminate Confidence Scores.^[24]

Oregon had a Court Balance Score of-8.86, indicatingDemocrat control of the court. In total, the study found that there were 15 states with Democrat-controlled courts, 27 states with Republican-controlled courts, and eight states with Split courts. The map below shows the court balance score of each state.

Bonica and Woodruff campaign finance scores (2012)

See also:Bonica and Woodruff campaign finance scores of state supreme court justices, 2012

In October 2012, political science professors Adam Bonica and Michael Woodruff of Stanford University attempted to determine the partisan outlook of state supreme court justices in their paper, "State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns." A score above 0 indicated a more conservative-leaning ideology while scores below 0 were more liberal. The state Supreme Court ofOregon was given a campaign finance score (CFscore), which was calculated for judges in October 2012. At that time,Oregon received a score of-1.00. Based on the justices selected,Oregon was the 3rd most liberal court. The study was based on data from campaign contributions by judges themselves, the partisan leaning of contributors to the judges, or—in the absence of elections—the ideology of the appointing body (governor or legislature). This study was not a definitive label of a justice but rather an academic gauge of various factors.^[25]

Ethics

The Oregon Supreme Court building (also home to the Oregon Court of Appeals) in Salem, Oregon

TheOregon Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates inOregon. It is composed of six rules:

• Rule 1: Sets forth the "Scope and Application of this Code; Definitions; Fundamental Principles"
• Rule 2: Titled: "Maintaining the Integrity of the Judicial System," describes the role of judges in "Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary," "Avoiding Misuse of the Prestige of Office," and how they may go about "Testifying as a Character Witness."
• Rule 3: Titled: "Impartial and Diligent Performance of Judicial Duties," outlines the responsibilities of judges, including their duty to exhibit "Impartiality and Fairness" to preside with "Decorum, Demeanor and Communication with Jurors," and when judges must disqualify themselves from presiding over a case.
• Rule 4: Describes how a judge may "Minimiz[e] the Risk of Conflict Between a Judge's Activities and the Obligations of Judicial Office"
• Rule 5: Provides instruction on how judges and judicial candidates should "Engag[e] in Political Activity and Judicial Campaign Activity"
• Rule 6: Describes the "Procedure for Advisory Opinions and Consideration of Good Faith Compliance"^[26]

The full text of theOregon Code of Judicial Conduct can be foundhere.

Removal of judges

Judges inOregon may be removed in one of two ways:

• By a recommendation of theOregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability to theOregon Supreme Court, which may then discipline, retire or remove a judge.
• By a recall election.^[27]

Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability

The Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability reviews charges or complaints against judges whose actions are in alleged violation ofArticle VIII of the Oregon Constitution or theOregon Code of Judicial Conduct. If the commission files formal charges against the judge, a public hearing is held, after which, the commission submits its findings and recommendation of disciplinary action to theOregon Supreme Court. TheOregon Supreme Court is the only court in the state which may discipline judges via suspension censure, or removal of the offending judge.^[28]

• See also:Thecomplaint process of the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability and therules of procedure for the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability.

History of the court

The Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon

The Oregon territory became a part of the United States in 1848. The territory encompassed much of present-day Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. A new territorial government was put into operation in 1849. A supreme court, district courts, probate courts, and justices of the peace were provided in the Territorial Act. The supreme court consisted of three justices who were appointed by the U.S. president with consent of the U.S. senate, for four-year terms. The territory was divided into three circuits and the justices were required to ride circuit as district court judges throughout the year, thus hearing cases on appeal where they made the original judgment. Appeals of district court decisions were heard by the territorial supreme court. Appeals from the territorial supreme court were taken to the U.S. Supreme Court.^[29][30]

Oregon's first and only constitution was passed in 1857 and statehood was achieved in 1859; the constitution is still in use today. It vested judicial power in a supreme court, circuit courts, and county courts, and it allowed for justices of the peace and municipal courts. The constitution provided for four justices, elected through partisan elections in districts where they were required to live. Supreme court justice terms were six years. Justices were required to continue to ride circuit in the four districts until the population of the state reached 200,000 (this happened in 1878). The supreme court had appellate jurisdiction over the circuit courts. The constitution authorized the legislature to expand the court to up to seven justices. The court was expanded to five justices and five circuit districts in 1862.^[31]

When the circuit court was split off in 1878 and had its own elected justices, the legislature reduced the number of justices on the supreme court from five to three. The legislature also ended the practice of electing supreme court justices by district, instead electing them at-large.^[32]In 1909 the legislature increased the number of justices on the supreme court back to five because of the increased workload of the court.^[33] In 1910, Oregonians passed theOregon Measure Nos. 362-363, Three-Fourths Verdicts in Civil Cases Initiative (1910) constitutional amendment. Among other items, the amendment gave the supreme court original jurisdiction inmandamus,habeas corpus, andquo warranto cases, and it modified supreme court judicial review, providing that the supreme court could not review a judgment if there were errors at the trial, if the correct, lawful judgment was nevertheless reached. The amendment also established six-year terms for judges.^[34]

In 1913 the legislature expanded the supreme court to seven justices, where it has remained. The legislature authorized justices to hear and decided cases in groups of three, although some cases required the entire court to be present.^[35]

In 1913, the supreme court created a board of bar examiners to examine bar applicants. Up to then the justices had administered examinations themselves.^[36]

In 1929, the legislature ended at-large elections for the supreme court, numbering each seat, so that candidates would run for a single statewide seat. In 1931, the legislature made all judicial elections nonpartisan. Both of these changes remain in effect today.^[37]

In 1981, the legislature centralized administration of the judicial department under the supervision of the chief justice of the state supreme court. It also gave the chief justice authority to appoint presiding judges of trial courts, and the chief judge of the court of appeals.^[38]

Courts in Oregon

See also:Courts in Oregon

InOregon, there is one federal district court, a state supreme court, a court of criminal appeals, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes, which are outlined in the sections below.

Click a link for information about that court type.

• Federal courts
• State supreme court
• State court of appeals
• Trial courts

The image below depicts the flow of cases through Oregon's state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.

The structure of Oregon's state court system.

Party control of Oregon state government

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. A state supreme court plays a role in the checks and balances system of a state government.

Oregon has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also

Oregon	Judicial Selection	More Courts
Courts in OregonOregon Court of AppealsOregon Supreme Court	Elections:2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017Gubernatorial appointmentsJudicial selection in Oregon	Federal courtsState courtsLocal courts

External links

• Oregon Supreme Court

Footnotes

	v • e State ofOregon Salem (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy

v • e Oregon Supreme Court Judicial selection in Oregon •2026 elections •Courts in Oregon
Current judges	Stephen K. Bushong,Roger J. DeHoog,Rebecca Duncan,Meagan A. Flynn,Chris Garrett,Bronson James,Aruna Masih
Former judges	Richard C. Baldwin,Thomas Balmer,David V. Brewer,Paul DeMuniz,Robert Durham,Rives Kistler,Jack Landau,Virginia Linder,Lynn Nakamoto,Adrienne Nelson,Martha L. Walters