Dec 29 2008
Praise for Merit Selection in Iowa
An editorial in the Des Moines Register praises the Merit Selection system Iowa uses to select its judges: “Iowa’s system is far better than electing judges, which introduces politics and the taint of campaign cash into the judiciary.” We, of course, agree, and hope that Pennsylvanians soon get the opportunity to decide if we should change the way we select judges.
The editorial also looks to the recent retention election results in Iowa as evidence the system is working. This year, all the judges on the ballot were retained. The editorial views that as a positive sign:
In the past 35 years, voters have removed only four judges, which is how the process should work. Removal shouldn’t be based on the popularity of decisions, politics or ideology. It’s merited only when there is evidence of misconduct or that a judge is unfit, and where the court system’s judicial-disciplinary process has failed.
What the editorial describes is a meaningful retention process as an integral part of a Merit Selection system. This has been a key feature of the Merit Selection legislation introduced this past year in Pennsylvania.
Tags: Des Moines Register, iowa, judicial elections, Merit Selection, other states, Pennsylvania
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The general public does not know much about the judges. If they have had a legal reason to be before a particular judge they still would only be knowlegeable about that judge in that case.
I found out first hand how the system works in a lawsuit by all accounts I sould have been successful in but was not.
I have written a book about my experience to bring a light on how things are happening right here in Iowa.
Dixie Burkhart
Facts Don’t Matter
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/FactsDontMatter.htm