how come are some judges appointed and some elected ?

[lastlib]

15. "Missouri Plan"--"non-partisan" selection method.

Under this plan, first used in my home state, a "non-partisan" commission examines candidates for a judgeship, and submits three nominees to the governor. Governor picks one who is then confirmed by the state Senate for a term. At the end of that term, the judge files for retention, which is submitted for a referendum, the question being "Shall Judge 'Jones' of the nth Circuit be retained in office?" He is retained for another term if the majority vote is "yes;" if the vote is "no," he must step down and the process is repeated.

Supposedly, it takes politics out of the process, but that's not the reality. The judges themselves cannot conduct campaigns on their behalf, but political parties often do it for them.