Why do we even vote for this?

Whitmer Fills 3 Court Of Appeals Vacancies
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has filled three of the four vacancies on the Court of Appeals with appointments announced today.
Replacing the soon to retire Judge Cynthia Stephens is 36th District Judge Kristina Robinson Garrett, whose appointment takes effect once Ms. Stephens' retirement becomes official March 31.
Named to succeed the late Judge Karen Fort Hood, who died in 2021, is Wayne Circuit Judge Noah Hood.
Both Ms. Garrett and Mr. Hood are named to judgeships in the 1st District.
Appointed to replace the late Judge Jonathan Tukel, who died in 2021, in the 2nd District is Sima Patel, a senior appellate attorney at the Fieger Law firm.
All three will have to run for election in November to fill the remainder of their predecessors' terms.
Ms. Whitmer still has one vacancy to fill. Judge Jane Beckering resigned after being confirmed to a federal judgeship.

I'm going to assume that 95% of voters have no clue who these people are and couldn't care less.

They all will win because they will have the (i) next to their name. Just like all of their successors appointed by govs and rubber stamped by voters.
(Btw, Judge Gliesher just took over the chief judgeship from Judge Murray. )

I let my attorney tell me who to vote for in local judge races because if I ever needed to talk to one of those people he would be doing the talking so I might as well let him get his way on who it is in front of us