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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Washington Supreme Court Justice (special election) (1) (special election)

2 candidates, listed alphabetically.

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Washington uses a top-two primary: the two candidates with the most votes in the August 4 primary advanced, regardless of party preference. Special election.

Candidates

Scott Edwards

Nonpartisan

Work
Tax lawyer

Scott Edwards is described in Wikipedia's coverage of this race as: tax lawyer.

I am running to bring independence, principled judgment, and respect for the rule of law to the Washington Supreme Court. An independent court protects constitutional rights, ensures equal justice, and serves as a final and balanced check within our system of government. The role of the Supreme Court is to apply the constitution and laws as written, not rewrite them. …

Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State

Edwards's experience

  • Other professional experience: Adjunct Professor, University of Washington School of Law (2002-present); Washington State Bar Association; American Bar Association; Council on State Taxation.
  • Legal/judicial experience: Ballard Spahr/Lane Powell (2010-present) (Practice Chair 2010-2024) (Board 2017-2019, 2023-24); Perkins Coie (1999-2010); Bogle & Gates (1996-1999). Significant experience before Washington courts on constitutional and other complex issues; Ranked as among the top in my field: Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers.
  • Community service: American Red Cross; St. Cecilia Parish; Scouting America; Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra; Kids in Concert.

Edwards's education

  • University of Washington School of Law (with Honors) 1991
  • Princeton University (magna cum laude) 1988, Economics - Paul Volcker Award recipient.

Sources for Edwards

Colleen Melody

Nonpartisan

Work
Justice, Washington Supreme Court (appointed January 2026)

Colleen Melody is a justice of the Washington Supreme Court. Melody was appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson and joined the court on January 1, 2026.

Colleen Melody joined the Washington Supreme Court on January 1, 2026, by appointment of Governor Bob Ferguson. She led the Washington Attorney General's Wing Luke Civil Rights Division and helped lead the state's challenge to the 2017 federal travel ban, after beginning her career at the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and clerking for Ninth Circuit Judge Ronald Gould.

As a civil rights lawyer, she protected Washingtonians whose rights were violated by multinational corporations, special interests, and the federal government. … As the leader of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, she beat the Trump Administration when it tried to impose its unconstitutional Muslim Ban and separate families at the border. …

Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State

Melody's experience

  • Other professional experience: Colleen was a career civil rights lawyer and public servant. She taught at the University of Washington and brought pro bono cases on behalf of immigrants and veterans. She worked at a pizza shop in high school and waited tables through college.
  • Legal/judicial experience: Supreme Court Justice. Colleen Melody works every day to uphold the rule of law, improve access to justice, and protect the rights of Washingtonians.
  • Community service: Colleen worked to improve access to services in her rural community, including better resources for seniors, increased healthcare services, and more affordable childcare.

Melody's education

  • UW for college and law school, both with high honors.

Sources for Melody

Sources

Candidate list and race details

What's included
U.S. Senate and House, statewide offices, every state legislative district on the ballot and statewide ballot measures.
Everything else
Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: voter.votewa.gov.
Candidate lists
As of Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.