We have a nine-member State Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court is also comprised of nine members. The nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life. When one retires or dies, which is seldom, the President of the United States makes the appointment to fill the rare vacancy.

Our Alabama Supreme Court does not have this “appointment for life” luxury. They are not appointed, they are elected. However, their terms are for six years. Once they are elected, they seem to never get opposed for reelection. They run in staggered years.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.