Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska State Bar Association released its 2026 Judicial Performance Evaluation on Monday. Lawyers polled said 98% of the 132 judges should be retained. More than half of those judges scored 90% or higher. Another 34% scored between 80% and 89%, while 5% scored from 70% to 79%.
The NSBA has conducted this poll every two years since 1984. NSBA President Hon. John Gerrard said the poll gives judges feedback. He added that it helps the public understand how Nebraska picks and keeps judges so voters can make better choices.
The NSBA first used the Judicial Evaluation Poll in 1984. It is conducted biennially. “The poll provides an important way to provide feedback to the judiciary and to help the public better understand Nebraska’s merit system for the selection and retention of judges by providing information useful in making an informed decision about judges standing for retention” said Hon. John M. Gerrard, President of the NSBA.
An electronic survey was sent to 5,752 active NSBA members residing in Nebraska, Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa and Yankton, South Dakota. Attorneys were instructed to evaluate only judges with whom they had recent, firsthand professional experience; or in the case of appeals court judges, with whose written opinions they were familiar.
Ultimately, 1,025 members completed the evaluation. The American Bar Association Center for Bar Leadership, in Chicago, compiled the results. The results may be viewed at www.nebar.com
