Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeal (Merit Retention) - Scott Makar
My vote power
Retention race
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
The Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeal (Merit Retention) - Scott Makar general election in Seminole County, Florida is on November 3, 2026. Voters decide yes or no on keeping Scott Makar in office.
What does this office do?
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights,
Scott Makar
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Scott Makar has been a state appeals judge since 2012, first on the First District Court of Appeal and on the Fifth District since 2023. He was Florida's Solicitor General from 2007 to 2012.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Dissented when a 2-1 appeals panel sent Florida's congressional map case straight to the Florida Supreme Court, writing there was time for the normal appeal process.
October 1, 2014
Source: wusf.org · researched September 25, 2026
Was appointed to the First District Court of Appeal by Gov. Rick Scott, replacing a judge who resigned over the court's costly new courthouse.
February 6, 2012
Source: web.archive.org · researched September 25, 2026
As Florida's Solicitor General, argued for the state before the U.S. Supreme Court in Holland v. Florida, on whether a prisoner's late federal appeal could be excused because of his lawyer's failures.
March 1, 2010
Source: supremecourt.gov · researched September 25, 2026
As Florida's Solicitor General, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court for the state's environmental agency in Stop the Beach Renourishment, a dispute over beach restoration and waterfront property lines.
December 2, 2009
Source: supremecourt.gov · researched September 25, 2026
As Florida's Solicitor General, argued for the state before the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Florida, a case on life-without-parole sentences for juveniles who did not kill anyone.
November 9, 2009
Source: supremecourt.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Sources: floridabar.org · 5dca.flcourts.gov
Last updated September 24, 2026.