Maryland Judicial Center, 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, February 2020. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Each judicial vacancy filled pursuant to the Governor's appointing power must be filled from a list of nominees submitted by one of the judicial nominating commissions. When a judicial vacancy occurs or is pending, the Administrative Office of the Courts notifies the appropriate nominating commission and then solicits applications by press announcements and from interested bar associations. Applications received are distributed to the commission members.
After the filing deadline for a vacancy has passed, the nominating commission meets to consider applications and relevant information, such as recommendations from citizens and bar associations. Each candidate is interviewed by the full commission or by commission panels. By secret written ballot, the commission then prepares a list of those candidates deemed legally and professionally most fully qualified for judicial office. No applicant may be added to the list without the affirmative vote of a majority of the commission members present at a voting session. The list is forwarded to the Governor who must make the appointment from it.
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