Marion County judges choose court leaders under new selection rules

The full court selects four executive committee candidates, and the judicial selection committee chair approves them and chooses the chief judge. The executive committee has four Marion Superior Court judges and handles court administration, including staffing, finances, and case assignments. The chair may remove an executive committee member for cause, but that does not remove the member from judicial office. No more than two executive committee members may belong to the same political party. The first selection is in 2026 for a term beginning January 1, 2027. Members then serve three-year terms, and the process applies to later selections.

The Marion County judicial selection committee decides whether judges seeking retention are suitable to continue in office. These procedures cover Marion Superior Court judges seeking retention in 2026 and in 2027 and later years. For 2026, a judge must notify the committee and provide a written statement by March 1; the committee must notify the clerk of its decision by May 15. A judge found unsuitable cannot be retained. A judge found suitable may continue only if Marion County voters approve retention. The special 2026 process requires notice and a written statement by March 1, a committee decision by May 15, and expires January 1, 2027. The later process applies to judges seeking retention in 2027 and each following year.

A retired judicial officer may possess and use a firearm in places where an on-duty law enforcement officer may carry one. This rule covers retired judicial officers. Serving judicial officers are covered by a separate provision. The retired officer must carry a photo ID identifying them as retired and proof of training completed within the past 365 days. The training must be at least one hour, in person, led by a certified firearms instructor, and include live-fire training. The Supreme Court may issue or authorize the ID. These firearm provisions take effect July 1, 2026. The training proof must show training completed within the previous 365 days.