Another important fact is that most incumbent trial judges seeking re-election do not face any opposition. The actual numbers indicate that 80 percent of the current circuit judges faced no opposition in their last election. On the other hand, adoption of the merit process would assure that every judge's name appears on the ballot every time he or she seeks another term in office. While experience and qualifications would be controlling factors in a candidate's initial appointment to the bench, a majority of the voters must agree that the judge should continue in office. So, when you take all of these factors into account, it puts merit selection and retention in a different light.
Many people feel the merit process represents the best of both worlds.
Think about it.