Appellate judges are chosen through a merit selection process involving a nominating commission for two-year terms. Appellate judges are subject to retention elections for 10-year terms. Circuit and superior court judges are generally selected through partisan election for six-year terms. Judges in some counties, however, are elected in nonpartisan elections.
The judges in your local courthouse all serve 6-year terms, but how they earn their seat on the bench varies depending on your county. In most Indiana counties, judges run for election similar to a state legislator or a mayor. When a judge leaves office for any reason during their term, the Governor chooses a replacement. In circuit courts, the replacement must run in the next general election; in superior courts, replacements complete the remainder of the unfinished term. Lawyers may apply to the Governor to be considered for the position.
(source: American Judicature Society and Indiana Judical Branch)
