County Court Judge Group 12
August 18, 2026 · Palm Beach County, Florida · County · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 9 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 1,533,806 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(2,738,356 ÷ 1,533,806) ÷ ln(2,738,356 ÷ 7,687) = 9.86, comparing counties in FL (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Hearing trials — criminal cases, lawsuits, family, or probate matters, depending on the court
- Ruling on evidence, motions, and sentences
- Applying state law and court procedure fairly in every case
Affected Areas: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights, Impartiality, Legal Competence
Candidates
Jacob M. Noble
Nonpartisan · declared
Jacob M. Noble is a Palm Beach County attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience. He began his career as an assistant public defender in 2004 and has operated a private practice since 2007, handling criminal defense, guardianship, civil matters, appeals, and more than 40 jury trials. Noble earned a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and a bachelor's degree in history from Guilford College.
Records: Legal Competence 1 for
Schnelle Tonge
Nonpartisan · declared
Schnelle Tonge has spent nearly 20 years as an assistant public defender in Palm Beach County. She is Chief of Mental Health & Social Services and has previously led the County Court and Juvenile divisions, handling and supervising misdemeanor, felony, juvenile, competency, and forensic mental-health matters. Tonge earned her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Impartiality 1 for, Legal Competence 2 for
Election sources
Source: votepalmbeach.gov
Source: votepalmbeach.gov
Source: votepalmbeach.gov