Circuit Status
Each year, of the thousands of petitions for review that the Supreme Court receives, the justices typically grant fewer than 100. For just about everyone else, a decision made by one of the 13 federal courts of appeals is the end of the line, which makes these life-tenured judges some of the most powerful people many Americans have never heard of.
This interactive map shows which party's nominees control these federal courts of appeals and the federal district courts below them, along with demographic information about the people who are subject to the decisions they make.
Last updated July 23, 2024 12:44pm
Majority of active circuit court judges appointed by Republicans
Majority of active circuit court judges appointed by Democrats
Number of active circuit court judges appointed by both parties is the same
% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
100%
Democratic Presidents0%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active First Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
4
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
17%
non-white circuit judges33%
circuit court judges who are women22.6%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white20%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
72%
Democratic Presidents28%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active First Circuit district court judges appointed by president
9
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
10
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
45%
non-white district court judges59%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
57%
Democratic Presidents43%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Second Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
6
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
36%
non-white circuit judges57%
circuit court judges who are women34%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white31%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
74%
Democratic Presidents26%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Second Circuit district court judges appointed by president
17
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
10
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
27
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
6
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
40%
non-white district court judges49%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
46%
Democratic Presidents54%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
1
Number of active Third Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
3
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
31%
non-white circuit judges38%
circuit court judges who are women26.1%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white57%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
60%
Democratic Presidents40%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Third Circuit district court judges appointed by president
16
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
17
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
20
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
6
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
35%
non-white district court judges42%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
60%
Democratic Presidents40%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
1
Number of active Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
3
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
27%
non-white circuit judges33%
circuit court judges who are women33.6%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white57.1%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
55%
Democratic Presidents45%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Fourth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
11
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
12
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
16
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
11
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
25%
non-white district court judges36%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
29%
Democratic Presidents71%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
2
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
6
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
29%
non-white circuit judges35%
circuit court judges who are women25%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white53%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
40%
Democratic Presidents60%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Fifth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
6
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
27
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
19
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
16
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
34%
non-white district court judges23%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
38%
Democratic Presidents63%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
1
Number of active Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
3
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
6
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
38%
non-white circuit judges31%
circuit court judges who are women19.9%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white62.5%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
47%
Democratic Presidents53%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Sixth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
10
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
19
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
15
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
14
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
15%
non-white district court judges34%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
45%
Democratic Presidents54%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
1
Number of active Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
5
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
36%
non-white circuit judges45%
circuit court judges who are women22.4%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white60%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
64%
Democratic Presidents36%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Seventh Circuit district court judges appointed by president
11
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
13
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
18
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
39%
non-white district court judges43%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
9.1%
Democratic Presidents90.9%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
4
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
9.1%
non-white circuit judges9.1%
circuit court judges who are women17%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white54.5%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
65%
Democratic Presidents35%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Eighth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
7
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
10
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
19
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
18%
non-white district court judges33%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
57%
Democratic Presidents43%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
8
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
10
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
47%
non-white circuit judges53%
circuit court judges who are women35%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white62%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
76%
Democratic Presidents24%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Ninth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
41
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
14
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
41
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
12
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
50%
non-white district court judges46%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
58%
Democratic Presidents42%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
2
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
8%
non-white circuit judges33%
circuit court judges who are women19%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white55%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
44%
Democratic Presidents56%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Tenth Circuit district court judges appointed by president
12
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
13
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
8
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
23%
non-white district court judges28%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
42%
Democratic Presidents58%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
1
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
6
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
33%
non-white circuit judges50%
circuit court judges who are women31.2%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white33%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
39%
Democratic Presidents61%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Eleventh Circuit district court judges appointed by president
6
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
26
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
19
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
14
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
2
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
31%
non-white district court judges39%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
64%
Democratic Presidents36%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals judges appointed by president
3
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
3
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)
Circuit Demographics
55%
non-white circuit judges55%
circuit court judges who are women57.5%
of people living in this jurisdiction who aren’t white80%
judges who are former corporate law partners% of district court judges nominated
% of district court judges nominated
71%
Democratic Presidents29%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active D.C. Circuit district judges appointed by president
3
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
4
![Trump](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trump-150x150.jpeg)
7
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
District Demographics
50%
non-white district court judges43%
district court judges who are women% of circuit judges nominated
% of circuit judges nominated
66.7%
Democratic Presidents33.3%
Republican PresidentsNumber of Announced Vacancies
0
Number of active Federal Circuit judges appointed by president
2
![Biden](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/biden-150x150.jpeg)
5
![Obama](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/obama-150x150.jpeg)
2
![Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bush-jr.-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Clinton](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bill-clinton-150x150.jpeg)
1
![Reagan](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/reagan-150x150.jpeg)
1
![H.W. Bush](https://ballsandstrikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bush-sr-150x150.jpeg)