Final answer:
States primarily use either elections or appointments to select judges. Elections can be partisan or non-partisan, while appointments often involve the governor and may require confirmation by the state senate or another body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two primary methods for selecting judges in the states are elections and appointments.
In some states, judges are elected either through partisan elections, where candidates run with declared political party affiliations, or through non-partisan elections, where candidates' party affiliations are not listed on the ballot. Michigan, for example, elects state judges at all levels and they serve fixed terms. Judges are elected on the non-partisan section of the ballot, though they are nominated by political parties.
Other states use an appointment system for selecting judges. In these states, the governor or another authority selects a judge, often from a list provided by a commission or committee. This is sometimes followed by a confirmation process, which may involve the state senate or another body. After initial appointment, judges may continue to serve based on retention elections or reappointments depending on the state's laws.