The Assembly Elections Committee convened on July 16, 2025, to discuss Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8), aimed at reforming the judicial retention election process in California. The meeting focused on addressing the challenges posed by lengthy ballots and low voter engagement in retention elections for appellate and Supreme Court justices.

The current system, established in 1934, requires justices to be confirmed by the governor and subsequently approved by voters during retention elections, where they face a simple yes or no vote. Historically, justices have been retained over 99.5% of the time, with only three justices defeated in 1986. However, the lengthy ballots, particularly during gubernatorial elections, often lead to voter fatigue, with over 25% of ballots left blank in retention elections, and even more than 40% in some instances.

ACA 8 proposes that justices would only appear on the ballot for retention if a petition is filed by registered voters. This change aims to streamline the election process, reduce costs, and minimize confusion for voters while maintaining accountability for justices. The proposal aligns with existing practices for Superior Court elections and seeks to focus voter attention on contested races.

Support for ACA 8 was voiced by Tim Cromartie from the Office of Secretary of State, who emphasized that the amendment would enhance the efficiency of the electoral system without disenfranchising voters. Dora Rose from the League of Women Voters also expressed support, highlighting the need for a more informed voting process and the importance of empowering voters to decide when a retention election is necessary.

The committee heard no opposition to the amendment during the meeting. The discussions underscored a collective desire to modernize California's judicial election system, ensuring it reflects current practices while preserving the public's ability to hold judges accountable. The committee is expected to continue deliberations on ACA 8, with further steps to be determined in upcoming sessions.