Judge of the Court of Appeals, District 2 — Retention: Shall Judge Michael W. Pirtle be retained in office? (Douglas County)

What this office does

A judge on a state appeals court. Reviews trial-court decisions for legal errors and decides most appeals; only some cases go on to the state supreme court. A retention vote asks only whether the judge should stay.

Candidates

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Douglas County ballots

• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Craig Q. McDermott be retained in office?
• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge John E. Huber be retained in office?
• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Marcela A. Keim be retained in office?
• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Marcena M. Hendrix be retained in office?
• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Sheryl L. Lohaus be retained in office?
• Judge of the County Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Stephanie Steigleder Shearer be retained in office?
• Judge of the District Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Duane C. Dougherty be retained in office?
• Judge of the District Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Katie L. Benson be retained in office?
• Judge of the District Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge LeAnne M. Srb be retained in office?
• Judge of the District Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Marlon A. Polk be retained in office?
• Judge of the District Court, District 4 — Retention: Shall Judge Molly B. Keane be retained in office?
• Judge of the Separate Juvenile Court, Douglas — Retention: Shall Judge Matthew R. Kahler be retained in office?

All Douglas County races and measures →

Quick answers

Who is running for Judge of the Court of Appeals, District 2 — Retention: Shall Judge Michael W. Pirtle be retained in office? (Douglas County) in 2026?

Michael W. Pirtle.

Who is the incumbent?

Michael W. Pirtle currently holds this office.

What does this office do?

A judge on a state appeals court. Reviews trial-court decisions for legal errors and decides most appeals; only some cases go on to the state supreme court. A retention vote asks only whether the judge should stay.

Who should I vote for in the Judge of the Court of Appeals, District 2 — Retention: Shall Judge Michael W. Pirtle be retained in office? (Douglas County) race?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare each candidate's record, funding, outside spending and endorsements on this page, then decide based on the issues that matter most to you. Enter your address at spectrumvote.com to see this race next to everything else on your ballot.

When is the election?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.