It seems like an arcane process to me TBH.
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As others have said, it varies depending on the jurisdiction, but there are a few general approaches. At the federal level, most judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Other than that there are no constitutional eligibility requirements, but as a practical matter no one who isn’t a licensed attorney would get nominated or confirmed. There is also a sub-category of judges with more limited powers who are appointed by the judges appointed by the president. States can do it differently, but usually it’s some combination of appointment, election, or both.
What’s more interesting is the behind-the-scenes process for how people get nominated. These days, no one becomes a trial judge without applying for it, like any other job. At the federal level, you usually apply to your home-state senator who then makes a recommendation to the White House. Then DOJ and the White House vet the candidate and ultimately submit a name to the Senate, which holds a hearing. At the state level, again, it can vary. Some states have non-partisan commissions that interview applicants and submit names to the governor.
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