Florida voters will decide in November whether to keep two of the seven Florida Supreme Court justices on the bench.

Justices Renatha Francis and Meredith L. Sasso are available for a retention vote. Both were nominated to the court by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who placed Francis on the bench in 2022 and Sasso in 2023. Here’s what you should know.

What is a retention vote?

After a Florida Supreme Court justice is appointed by the governor, he is nominated for a statewide vote on retention in the first general election held more than a year after his appointment. If they are then retained, another vote will take place every six years.

The benefit maintenance system has been in effect since then a constitutional amendment from the 1970s. Justice has never been nullified by the retention vote process.

A “yes” vote means that justice remains on the bench. A “no” vote means removing them.

What happens if they are not maintained?

If a judge is removed by voters, the governor — DeSantis — would appoint a new justice to the court.

Who is Francis?

DeSantis named Francis to the bench in 2022. The governor originally tried to appoint her to the state’s highest court in 2020, but the Supreme Court ruled that she did not meet the minimum 10-year bar membership requirements in Florida.

Before joining the Supreme Court, Francis served as a judge on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Palm Beach County. She was also appointed to judicial positions in the 11th Judicial District by former Gov. Rick Scott.

Francis replaced Justice Alan Lawson, who retired from the court in 2022. Francis is the first judge of Jamaican descent. She received her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies Degree. She is a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group.

Who is Sasso?

DeSantis appointed Sasso in 2023 to replace former Justice Ricky Polston. Sasso received her law degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. Before appointing her to the highest court, DeSantis appointed her to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, where she served as chief judge.

Previously, Sasso was a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott. From 2016 to 2019, Sasso worked in Scott’s administration in the office of general counsel.

She is also a member of the Federalist Society.

What is the Supreme Court doing?

The Florida Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and hears some of Florida’s most high-profile cases. The court must review district court decisions that invalidate a state law or part of the Constitution. They are also responsible for reviewing the final orders imposing a death sentence and are required to review certain orders of the Civil Service Commission on utility rates.

The court may also issue advisory opinions to the governor or attorney general. The court also has the authority to weigh in on whether or not a proposed constitutional amendment is suitable for the vote. In April of this year, the court majority allowed two constitutional amendments, one providing for recreational use of marijuana for adults and the other protecting abortion until feasible, to appear on the ballot, saying the language was not misleading. (Sasso and Francis disagreed on both counts.)

The court also has the authority to discipline Florida attorneys and to establish rules for the procedure of Florida courts.

On this page the public can read the opinions of the Supreme Court.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times election coverage

Voters Guide for the 2024 General Election: Over 90 local candidates on the issues: Here’s who’s running for office and where they stand on abortion, immigration, local schools and more.

Why Florida Democrats should be optimistic — and why they should be pessimistic: For the first time in a long time, Democrats appear to have some momentum. Is it real?

Here are the 6 amendments Floridians will vote on in November: The proposals cover abortion, marijuana, hunting and fishing and more.

Florida’s Amendment 1 stated: Partisan school board elections are on the ballot this election.

How Florida’s Amendment 2 Could Affect Hunting and Fishing: The constitutional right to fish and hunt will appear on the ballot.

Change 3: Florida’s recreational marijuana ballot measure, explained.

5 congressional elections are coming up in Tampa Bay. Here’s who’s running.

If Florida votes for abortion and marijuana, will lawmakers abide by it? The two amendments are rejected by Florida’s Republican leaders.