When you head to the polls, you’ll likely recognize many of the names at the top of the ballot–but look lower down, and you will find a long list of likely unfamiliar candidates for local and state judge positions. According to New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice, Texas is one of just six states to elect its trial court, state Supreme Court and appellate court judges in partisan elections. Other states hold nonpartisan races, appoint judges or have a hybrid system combing elections and appointments. The partisan races mean judges go through the same political process as a House or Senate candidate. Judges first run in a primary election in March, and if they win their party’s nomination, they advance to the general election for either a four- or six-year term, depending upon the court. Texas voters elect their local Justices of the Peace right up to the state’s highest courts–the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. It’s a lot of names and races to keep track of, but you will earn that “I Voted” sticker when you walk out of the polls.