Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, Supreme Court Justice Brent E. Dickson, Supreme Court Justice Theodore R. Boehm, Court of Appeals Judge Carr L. Darden, and Tax Court Judge Thomas G. Fisher were all retained by Indiana voters.  The Indiana Secretary of State reported all five appellate judges garnered more than 650,000 “yes” votes.

For the first time, Indiana voters had access to a website designed specifically for voters interested in learning more about the judges on the ballot.  The new site, courts.in.gov/retention, was launched in October.  It gave voters access to biographical information about the judges and details about the decisions they have made while serving on the bench.  Court of Appeals Judges Terry Crone and Cale Bradford (who were not on the November ballot) coordinated the website creation.  The Indiana Division of State Court Administration provided technical support. 

Indiana selects appellate judges based on merit.  The Judicial Nominating Commission interviews judicial applicants and provides the Governor with a list of candidates.  The Governor makes the final selection.  Once appointed, after serving two years, a judge must stand for retention in the first statewide general election.  The voter is presented with the question “Should Justice (or Judge) John B. Jones be retained in office?” If the judge receives a majority of "yes" votes, the judge is retained.  The judge is then on the retention ballot every 10 years.