AK HJR18

Changes judicial selection from a merit-based system to direct election by voters for all state judges including supreme court justices, court of appeals judges, superior court judges, and district court judges.

Establishes a new court of appeals with three judges elected statewide for two-year terms with appellate jurisdiction over superior court criminal and other cases.

Creates district courts with nineteen judges per judicial district elected by district voters for two-year terms with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

Reduces supreme court justice terms from six years to four years and superior court judge terms to four years, with judges elected statewide or by district.

Repeals the Judicial Council and eliminates the merit selection and retention approval process (Article IV, sections 5-9) that previously governed judicial appointments.