The Texas Supreme Court, which hears non-criminal civil and juvenile cases, has a chief justice and eight other justices. They are elected in partisan elections to six-year terms. Places 1 (chief justice), 2, 7 and 8 are up for reelection this year.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, has nine judges. They are elected statewide in partisan elections every six years. Places 3, 4 and 9 are up this year.
Texas has 15 courts of appeals. The 1st through 14th courts hear cases from specific geographic areas. The 15th Court of Appeals was created in 2023 and took effect Sept. 1, 2024. It hears civil appeals statewide, including those involving the state and its agencies. Under state law, it will have a chief justice and two justices for its first three years, so only those seats are on the ballot. The story lists seats on the 2nd, 5th and 10th courts of appeals as well.