Upcoming elections may change state courts' ideological balance.

Trial, March, 2008

The presidential election is not the only race on the ballot this November. Around the country, 2008 promises to be a highly consequential election year for the state judiciaries, and the results could have a sizable impact on the ideological balance of some states' top courts.

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Forty-one supreme court seats in 21 states are up for partisan or nonpartisan election this year. An additional 22 justices are up for retention election.

Spending on judicial elections has risen tremendously over the last several election cycles, according to a recent report by the nonprofit, nonpartisan

Justice at Stake Campaign. Third-party groups and business interests have fueled the increase.

Justice at Stake found that...

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