How Georgia Supreme Court justices get selected, decide cases and more, explained

The Georgia Supreme Court holding oral arguments on March 19, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

State supreme courts have been making headlines nationally for ruling on controversial topics. Recent notable rulings include the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision that frozen embryos are considered people, and the Colorado court’s attempt to remove Donald Trump from ballots.

In Georgia, the court upheld a six-week abortion ban last year and declined to approve rules for a GOP-backed commission to discipline prosecutors.

Supreme courts have historically been recognized as apolitical. But decisions on hot-button topics are energizing partisan politics on a national level.