Two WA Supreme Court Seats Are Opening — Here’s Why It Matters
Big changes are coming to the Washington State Supreme Court, and most voters aren’t paying attention.
Two justices are stepping aside this year, creating rare, truly open seats on the state’s highest court. That might not sound dramatic, but in Washington, it’s unusual. Most justices first reach the bench through gubernatorial appointment, then run later as incumbents — a status that almost guarantees reelection. Right now, a majority of the court began that way.
With major cases looming — including potential challenges to an income tax on high earners, the voter-approved natural gas initiative, and ongoing fallout from drug and public safety rulings — the makeup of the court matters more than ever.
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