Sandra Day O’Connor Calls for Merit Elections

The fact that the impartial judiciary issue is being discussed on a federal level, and is gaining the sincere attention of retired Supreme Court Justices, should be a stark reminder that without action, Minnesota could be soon feeling the heat of more politicized of judicial elections!

In an effort to end voting for judges in direct judicial elections, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and a group of Judges, Lawyers and Political Officials have come together. Led by Justice O’Connor, the group works to fight judicial corruption.

They have started a campaign that will kick the old habit of direct judicial elections out the door, while emphasizing new legislation for retention voting and merit selections.

Merit selections involve a bi-partisan selection commission that gets together and comes up with a short list of candidates that are presented to the Governor. If the Governor doesn’t choose one from the list they come up with another one until the seat is occupied.

When a Judge’s term is coming to an end, a retention vote would take place. This would simply ask the voter a “yes” or” no” question of whether or not they think the Judge should remain in office.

The campaign will include trips by invitation from state to state, so they can work with local legislators and advocates in fighting judicial corruption.

It is clear that our current system of selection is troublesome, evidenced by problems in other states with similar selection processes. Advocacy on behalf of the changes offered by the O’Connor Judicial Selection Initiative and of the Quie Commission are very important to keep our state free of judicial corruption!

Read more about the O’Connor Judicial Selection Initiative in the New York Times