This is the problem with these small, nonpartisan offices. Virtually nobody votes in these elections because very few people can make an informed decision, and

This is the problem with these small, nonpartisan offices. Virtually nobody votes in these elections because very few people can make an informed decision, and those informed few have incentives not to endorse/oppose. If the elections are partisan, voters have more information, but elections will become politicized on abortion/social issues (whether or not the judge can rule on such matters). Even in cases of judicial shenanigans, voters choose based on name recognition and advertising, and the incumbent's advantage is enormous, they run unopposed. I am strongly pro-voting, but voting for dogcatchers and low-level judges is really bad.