You probably don’t think about the Michigan Supreme Court when you’re grabbing coffee or driving to work in Grand Rapids or Detroit. Most people don’t. It’s that big, imposing building in Lansing—the Hall of Justice—where people in black robes talk about things that sound like they're written in another language. But here is the reality: those seven people have more influence over your life than almost any other group of officials in the state. From whether your car insurance rates stay sane to how your neighborhood is zoned, the Michigan Supreme Court justices are the final word.
They aren't just referees. They are the ultimate deciders.
Honestly, the way we pick these people is kinda weird. Michigan has this "nonpartisan" ballot, but the political parties are the ones who nominate the candidates at their conventions. It’s a hybrid system that confuses even the most dedicated voters every November. You see a name on the ballot with no "R" or "D" next to it, yet the TV ads are screaming about "liberal activists" or "conservative stalwarts." It is a messy, high-stakes game of judicial musical chairs that determines the legal landscape for ten million residents.
The Current Bench and Why the Math Matters
Right now, the court is composed of seven justices. It hasn't always been that way—the number has fluctuated throughout history—but seven is the magic number for a majority. To get anything done, you need four.
Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement leads the pack. She’s an interesting case study in Michigan politics because she was originally appointed by a Republican governor, Rick Snyder, but has frequently proven to be a swing vote. This isn't just trivia. Her independence has occasionally infuriated the very party that put her there. Then you have voices like Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Elizabeth Welch, who often represent the more liberal-leaning side of the bench. On the other side, you find Justice Brian Zahra and Justice David Viviano, who generally lean toward a "textualist" approach—meaning they try to stick strictly to what the law says as written, rather than interpreting what it should mean in a modern context.
The newest additions, like Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, have changed the energy in the room. Bolden made history as the first Black woman to serve on the court. That’s huge. Diversity on the bench isn't just about optics; it’s about the life experiences that inform how a judge views a case involving civil rights, criminal justice, or housing law.
How the Gown Fits: Terms and Qualifications
To be a Michigan Supreme Court justice, you can't just be a good lawyer. You have to be under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment. This "age cap" is a massive point of contention in Michigan law. Once a justice hits 70, they can finish their term, but they can't run again. It forces a constant turnover that keeps the court from becoming a lifetime monarchy like the federal Supreme Court in D.C.
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Terms are eight years long. That’s a long time. A lot can change in eight years. If a justice leaves early—say they retire or, in rare cases, get removed—the Governor gets to pick a replacement. That replacement then has to run in the next general election to keep the seat. It’s a bit of a "tryout" period that usually gives incumbents a massive advantage.
Decisions That Actually Hit Your Wallet
Let's get real for a second. Why should you care?
Think about the "no-fault" auto insurance reforms from a few years back. The Michigan Supreme Court had to decide how those changes applied to people who were already catastrophically injured before the law changed. This wasn't just a legal debate; it was a matter of life and death for thousands of families who were worried their medical care would be cut off. The court eventually ruled that the new limits couldn't be applied retroactively to those patients. That single decision saved lives and cost insurance companies millions.
It's the same thing with environmental regulations. If a company leaks chemicals into the groundwater in Oakland County, the Michigan Supreme Court justices are the ones who decide if the state can sue for damages and what "standing" residents have to take them to court.
The Nonpartisan Myth
Every election cycle, the "nonpartisan" label on the ballot is basically a polite lie. While the justices don't run with a party affiliation next to their name, the Michigan Democratic Party and the Michigan Republican Party spend millions on these races. They know that the court is the final gatekeeper.
Take the 2022 and 2024 cycles. We saw record-breaking spending. Why? Because the court handles redistricting disputes. They handle election law. If there is a fight over how votes are counted in a presidential year, these seven people in Lansing are the ones who decide which votes matter. If you want to understand the future of Michigan, don't look at the Governor's mansion; look at the court's docket.
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The Daily Grind of a Justice
It’s not all landmark constitutional cases. A lot of it is just... reading. Thousands of pages.
The court gets around 2,000 applications for "leave to appeal" every year. They only actually hear oral arguments for about 60 to 100 of those. That means for every one case they decide to tackle, they reject about twenty. When they reject a case, the lower court's ruling stands. This makes the Michigan Court of Appeals incredibly important, but it makes the Supreme Court the ultimate curator of Michigan's legal philosophy.
They meet in the courtroom, which is stunning by the way—lots of dark wood and hushed tones—and lawyers get maybe 20 to 30 minutes to make their case. The justices interrupt. They pepper them with questions. Sometimes it’s about a single comma in a statute. Other times, it’s about the fundamental rights of a parent.
Surprising Nuance in Rulings
People like to put the justices into boxes. "He's a conservative," or "She's a liberal." But if you actually read the opinions, they flip the script more often than you'd think. Michigan's court has a history of being fiercely independent.
Justice Viviano, for example, has written some very strong opinions on private property rights that sometimes align with what you'd expect from a conservative, but he's also been a stickler for due process in ways that help criminal defendants. Justice Clement's vote to allow a redistricting commission to proceed several years ago was a massive blow to the GOP establishment that had supported her. These aren't robots. They are humans with specific judicial philosophies that don't always align with a party platform.
What's Next for the Michigan Supreme Court?
The court is currently facing a massive backlog of cases related to pandemic-era executive orders and new labor laws. As Michigan shifts its economy toward green energy and electric vehicles, expect a flood of litigation regarding land use, tax breaks, and labor unions.
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We are also seeing a shift in how the court handles criminal justice. There has been a growing movement on the bench to look at "sentencing proportionality." Basically, they are asking: "Does the punishment actually fit the crime, or are we just throwing people away?" This is a massive shift from the "tough on crime" era of the 90s.
Your Role in the Process
Most people skip the back of the ballot. Don't do that.
The "Nonpartisan Judicial" section is usually at the very end, and that's where the Michigan Supreme Court justices are hidden. Because of the way Michigan's constitution is written, these seats are often decided by just a few thousand votes. In a state of ten million, that is a tiny margin.
When you see these names, look at who endorsed them. Look at their past rulings. If you care about reproductive rights, look at how they’ve handled privacy cases. If you care about business, look at their rulings on contract law and liability.
Actionable Steps for the Informed Michigander
If you want to actually understand what's happening in Lansing without the political filter, you don't need a law degree. You just need to know where to look.
- Watch Oral Arguments: The Michigan Supreme Court actually livestreams their sessions. It is surprisingly addictive. You can see the justices in action on their official YouTube channel or the Michigan Courts website.
- Check the "Order List": Every Friday, the court releases a list of which cases they've accepted and which they've denied. It's a great "cheat sheet" for what legal issues are about to become big news in the next six months.
- Research the "MSC Blog": There are several independent legal blogs run by Michigan attorneys that break down complex rulings into plain English. They are invaluable for cutting through the legalese.
- Verify the Nominations: Since the ballot won't tell you the party, check the Michigan Secretary of State website before you go to the polls. They list which party nominated which candidate during the convention season.
- Follow the Money: Use resources like the Michigan Campaign Finance Network to see who is funding the TV ads. If a specific special interest group is dumping millions into a judicial race, they usually expect a certain "philosophy" in return.
The court is the last line of defense for the Michigan Constitution. Whether you're a business owner in Grand Rapids or a renter in Flint, the decisions made by these seven individuals will eventually find their way to your front door. Staying informed isn't just a civic duty; it's a way to make sure the laws of the state actually work for you, not just for the people with the loudest voices in the room.