What to Think About when Voting for a Judge

Georgia’s unique judicial system places every trial, appellate and Supreme Court judge on the ballot, and the upcoming May 19 primary is no exception. Early voting begins April 27, giving voters a narrow window to decide who will sit on the Court of Appeals. Candidate Will Wooten, a former white‑collar crime unit leader who helped build the high‑profile Trump election interference case, announced his run for the Georgia Court of Appeals, positioning his experience as a direct response to the recent appellate decision that dismissed the case.

The Court of Appeals is the workhorse of Georgia’s judiciary, handling roughly 80‑90% of all state appeals. Its rulings often serve as the final word for criminal sentences, civil disputes, and everyday legal matters, shaping how lower courts apply the law. Wooten leverages a decade of prosecutorial and public‑defender experience, plus extensive appellate brief‑writing across multiple states, to argue that judges must keep the human impact of decisions front‑and‑center. He contrasts his people‑first philosophy with an incumbent he views as out‑of‑touch, emphasizing fairness over political expediency.

For voters, the key is to assess a judge’s commitment to the rule of law, their track record of protecting individual rights, and their willingness to listen to ordinary citizens. Wooten urges Georgians to support his campaign through donations—advertising costs have surged dramatically—and to spread his message via social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter under @Wooten4GA. He frames the race as part of a national momentum, where electing principled judges can inspire similar victories in other states, reinforcing democratic norms and safeguarding everyday people’s rights.