Justices must retire at the end of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75, per the Washington State Constitution.

The current chief justice is Debra L. Stephens, who began her term in January 2025.

Judicial elections in Washington, including for the Supreme Court, are frequently uncontested and incumbents typically win reelection.

[8] In case of a vacancy, the Governor of Washington may appoint a replacement who must stand in the next election to fill the unexpired term.

In November of the same year Judge White was regularly elected, but the term ended the following January.

Governor Rogers appointed to these positions William H. White and Hiram E. Hadley.

[12] Carolyn R. Dimmick was the first woman to sit on the court, taking her seat in 1981.

Charles Z. Smith, appointed 1988, was the first African American to serve on the court.