tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post1773916743879144989..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: Q Day 6: State Judge SelectionJonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-41369403592414892362012-10-06T09:12:58.067-05:002012-10-06T09:12:58.067-05:00Another variation that's used in some states i...Another variation that's used in some states is to have appointed judges but then to have periodic confirmation elections in which they must run in order to remain judges. I don't know if it's an improvement, but it's out there so I thought I mention it.<br /><br />What really turned me against judicial elections was that West Virginia case. A company (I think it was Massey Energy of exploding coal mine fame) was losing a case in the WV Supreme Court so they poured money into the campaign of an opposition candidate who won and then threw the case out.Scott Monjenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-58903112662025246572012-10-06T04:55:01.396-05:002012-10-06T04:55:01.396-05:00When I lived in Michigan, I had to vote for Suprem...When I lived in Michigan, I had to vote for Supreme Court justices. I agree 100% with Matt Jarvis about the low level of information available to make a decision. I once did an informal poll of friends, asking how they chose. Typical responses included:<br /><br />- straight party line (though party isn't indicated on the ballot, so you have to do some research)<br />- Random selection based on how "attractive" the name sounds<br />- Always choose the incumbent<br />- Always choose the non-incumbents<br /><br />No one I spoke to felt they knew enough about qualifications or judicial philosophy to use those factors in making a decision.<br /><br />It was even worse voting for Trustees of the state universities. I generally voted for the candidate of the Socialist Labor Party, as a protest at being asked to choose among names I had never heard of.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167853931127184984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-62067301015897667062012-10-06T01:44:51.631-05:002012-10-06T01:44:51.631-05:00Eh. What I said above: I would do it the way the F...Eh. What I said above: I would do it the way the Feds do, but I'm fine with local variation.Jonathan Bernsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-23344917483061432602012-10-05T17:09:10.331-05:002012-10-05T17:09:10.331-05:00I see plenty of reasons why elections would be ter...I see plenty of reasons why elections would be terrible. INSANELY low information about the candidates, making ads that much more powerful. Policies produced largely outside of public consumption (though public, outside of major cases, few pay any attention to local trials). The role of the judiciary in our democracy as the check against majority rule/tyranny. The relatively easy to achieve and serious consequences of corruption in one individual. <br /><br />Electing judges is, in my mind, quite possibly an even worse idea than propositions. And I despise propositions.Matt Jarvisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-31586671572266171322012-10-05T17:03:37.554-05:002012-10-05T17:03:37.554-05:00JB: What about Missouri's current system? Miss...JB: What about Missouri's current system? Missouri has a nonpartisan commission send a list of potential judges to the governor, who then makes his selection from that list:<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_PlanMizzounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-44352229771270033172012-10-05T16:35:49.024-05:002012-10-05T16:35:49.024-05:00While you state that you "don't see any p...While you state that you "don't see any particular reason why elections should produce better judges", do you have any reason to think appointed one are better?<br /><br />If not, then shouldn't we go with democracy in the case of a tie?<br /><br />I don't know if I have a preference, and while I might intellectually side with the appointed route myself, I don't think I have any evidence to support the position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com