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The High-Stakes State Supreme Court Races That Are Drawing a Ton of Attention

State courts have taken an outsize role in politics since the Dobbs decision. Now, they’re just as political as some of the other races on the ballot.

The Michigan Supreme Court's Hall of Justice.
Some races will determine control of their state’s highest courts, prompting a flood of advertising. Carlos Osorio/AP

Groups on both sides of the aisle agree on at least one thing: State Supreme Court seats are crucial in Tuesday’s election.

Montana, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina are among the 33 states where at least one Supreme Court race will appear on the ballot in addition to other competitive races. Some of them will determine control of their state’s highest courts, prompting a flood of advertising.

There’s been a growing realization of the power of state Supreme Courts since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, and there have been signs of a changing political environment around them. But Tuesday’s election is the first time since that decision that this many voters will weigh in.