judgesonmerit.org

An article in the Columbia Daily Tribune discusses the struggle to retain Missouri’s current merit selection system.  Missouri has had a merit selection system since 1940.  Recently, the general assembly passed a bill that could change this system, pending voter approval.  Under the proposed system the governor would have more influence over selecting nominating commission members.

While realizing that the legislative and executive branches are the proper places for politics, the judicial branch is different.

Judges are supposed to be honest and impartial and decide cases based on the law and the facts of the case.”

The article warns voters of the politics that may come into play with the passage of this bill. “It is a virtual certainty that future governors will be showered with political contributions from these men and others who want to shape the ideological makeup of our highest judges.”

2 Missouri citizens have already spent over $1 million to change the current merit selection process.  In November, we will see whether the “courthouse doors are open to the highest bidder.”

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