Know how to read between the lines to get the message. Although judges must run as nonpartisan candidates, they often hint at their party affiliation. The right to vote comes without strings attached. Voters are free to use any standards that appeal to them. Trial court judges deal constantly with people under stress, yet they need to remain calm, patient, and fair while trying to resolve disputes quickly.
Appellate judges work primarily with records, research, legal briefs, and colleagues.
Voters who place a very high value on judicial independence may want to use the type of job performance standards that many bar associations recommend. They will expect judges to decide cases as they think the facts and law require without regard to their personal views on the issue and without bending to public or political pressures. They think that elections should not be referendums on a judge's philosophy. Voters who place a higher value on political accountability will also take into consideration specific decisions made by judges. They may look for a candidate whose views on social issues match their own.