judgesonmerit.org

Pennsylvania isn’t the only state that’s realizing the need for merit based selection of appellate judges rather than partisan races fueled by special interest money.

A Minnesota bill on the same issue went further than ever before in the state legislature but ultimately came up short a few weeks before the end of the session.

The bill would have placed a question on a fall ballot asking voters whether to amend the state constitution to make the switch to merit selection.

Under the Minnesota proposal, the governor would appoint judges to fill open seats, and voters would decide whether or not to retain the judge. An independent judicial-performance evaluation commission would also be created to evaluate judges’ performances.

Despite the outcome, Minnesota proponents of merit selection pledge to continue working for reform.

Nevada is even closer to selecting judges on merit. In November Nevada voters will decide the issue after the state legislature approved the proposal’s wording last month.

Both of these states are on the right track. Fair trials require impartial judges, which is why merit selection, not partisan elections will result in a more diverse and qualified judiciary. With the rising costs of judicial elections and the potential large donors may appear in front of those same judges in court the time to change to switch to merit selection is now.

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