Under merit selection, statewide judges would be chosen by an independent, broad-based and bipartisan nominating commission of men and women from all over the state. The Commission would submit the names of the most-qualified judicial applicants to the Governor for nomination, subject to Senate confirmation. After serving an initial term, voters decide whether judges should stay in office through nonpartisan retention elections. Merit selection supporters are often called upon to reply to the arguments put forth by detractors.
Judges are different from all other elected public officials.
Voters should know where gubernatorial, legislative or mayoral candidates stand on controversial issues. We vote for them because of those stands and expect them to fulfill their campaign promises. This ban recognizes that judges must be impartial and resolve disputes based solely on the law and evidence. Thus judges are often chosen for reasons that have nothing to do with their qualifications such as top ballot position, county of residence, gender, name recognition or raising enough money to afford the most convincing attack advertisement against an opponent. Party endorsement is critical, too.