To what extent does judicial independence reduce or increase the prevalence of election violence in transitional states? Specifically, how does variation in judicial independence affect the strategic use of post-election violence by state and non-state actors? Using quantitative and qualitative analysis on judicial independence and post-election violence in African elections, my findings indicate that, compared to non-independent and independent judiciaries, opposition political parties are more likely to employ post-election violence strategically under quasi-independent judiciaries with the purpose of creating electoral uncertainty in order to influence assertive behavior from judges in disputed elections. Consequently, I argue that variation in judicial independence can help explain the likelihood of post-election violence in African countries, all else being equal.