The Judicial Council of the Student Government Association voted Wednesday night to elect Associate Justice Sophie Stirling to the position of Chief Justice. 

Stirling will be sworn in at the next SGA meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18. This is also when current Chief Justice Blake Graham will step down. 

Stirling gave a speech prior to the vote, including why she wanted to serve as chief justice. 

“A constitution should empower us as leaders and as judicial council members,” Stirling said. “And under my leadership, that’s what it will do.”

Associate Justice Xavier Spiess, the other nominee, also spoke about his drive to become chief justice. 

“Having experienced firsthand the challenges of financial and social hardship, I’ve made it my mission to turn those experiences into motivation to make a lasting difference in every space I can,” Spiess said. 

Nominees then re-entered the room after deliberation, where it was announced that Stirling had won in a 3-1 vote. 

“I’ve always had a passion for leadership, transparency and improvement,” Sterling said in a text interview with the Herald. “With this position, I am excited to uphold the values and integrity of the SGA constitution as well as the university.”