The New Mexico Supreme Court says any district judge who fills a midterm vacancy must stand for a nonpartisan retention election in the sixth year of what would have been the predecessor's term.
The court issued its opinion Thursday, saying its finding is consistent with the intent of the state Constitution.
The question stems from the case of former District Judge Sheri Raphaelson, who was ordered by the court to step down last year after losing a retention election.
Raphaelson was first elected in 2010 to complete another judge's term. She did not garner the votes necessary for retention in 2014.
Raphaelson had unsuccessfully challenged the election results by saying she didn't have to stand for retention in the first place because she was initially elected to fill a midterm vacancy.
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