How are judges selected for local courts in Missouri?

Judges for local courts in Missouri are primarily selected through a dual system involving both public elections and a nonpartisan court plan. The nonpartisan court plan, also known as the merit selection system, allows for judges to be appointed based on their qualifications rather than through a purely electoral process. Under this system, a committee evaluates candidates and provides a list of qualified nominees to the governor, who then makes the appointment.

In addition, Missouri conducts elections for judges, particularly at the local level, allowing voters to directly participate in the selection of judges. This combination of appointment and election aims to balance the need for an impartial judiciary with accountability to the electorate. Thus, the chosen method ensures a qualified judiciary while also integrating public participation through elections.

The other options do not accurately reflect the process in Missouri. For example, while governors do have a role in appointing some judges under the nonpartisan plan, they do not have unilateral authority to simply nominate judges as stated in one of the alternative options. Similarly, legislative approval and judicial councils do not play a central role in the process as per Missouri's current judicial selection system.