What unique election process is allowed for some judges in Missouri?

In Missouri, the unique election process for some judges is known as the nonpartisan court plan. This system, also referred to as the "Missouri Plan," is designed to reduce the influence of political parties in judicial elections and to promote the selection of qualified candidates based on merit rather than political affiliation.

Under this plan, a commission composed of lawyers and non-lawyers screens candidates for judicial vacancies and submits a list of qualified nominees to the governor. The governor then appoints a judge from this list. After serving for a designated period, appellate judges face retention elections, where voters decide whether to keep them in office, typically without information about their party affiliations. This method aims to foster judicial independence and maintain higher standards within the judiciary by mitigating political pressure influencing judicial decisions.

This process stands in contrast to other election methods, such as partisan elections, where candidates are openly affiliated with political parties, or direct gubernatorial appointments without a merit-based selection process, which can raise concerns about accountability.