See related editorial at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Web site.
Showing posts with label merit selection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label merit selection. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Newspaper: Let voters decide judicial selection question
Should voters continue to elect judges in Pennsylvania or should they be selected by a panel of judicial experts? One newspaper says voters should decide which way to go.From an editorial in the Delaware County Daily Times:
The judiciary, where impartiality is valued above all, seems the wrong place for partisan politics.Editorial: Let voters decide judicial selection question - The Delaware County Daily Times (DelcoTimes.com)
Pennsylvania is one of only six states that elect all judges in partisan elections. Apparently, Tom Caltagirone wants to keep it that way. But should high-powered attorneys or corporations with the most money to buy television ads influence the way Pennsylvanian justices are chosen?
It is time for the people to vote on the issue and time Harrisburg agrees to put it on the ballot. Three Republican and one Democratic governor concur that voters should decide whether Commonwealth and Superior Court judges and state Supreme Court justices should be elected or appointed. Bipartisan support is unusual at any level of government.
The bipartisanship exhibited last week between former and current governors of this state sends a clear message about the need for change in Pennsylvania’s judicial elections.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Poll: 75% of Pennsylvanians say 'Merit' Selection Could Make Judicial Selection 'More Political'
75% of Pennsylvanians say 'Merit' Selection Could Make Judicial Selection 'More Political'
See related post, "Soros Funding PA for Modern Courts," at LINCOLN BLOG
See related post, "Soros Funding PA for Modern Courts," at LINCOLN BLOG
Monday, March 17, 2008
Reformers want to end judicial elections
Did you know Pennsylvania is one of only six states that elect its judges?
The problem with voting for judges is two-fold. Voters have no idea who they're voting. Picking a judge is not like electing local, county or state politicians. Voters typically vote for name recognition without regard to the person's qualifications.
The second big problem is that by forcing judges to run for office, candidates have to raise enormous amounts of money. Most of that money comes from special interest groups or lawyers who will probably appear before the judge one day.
Is this the best way to encourage an honest and fair legal system? I think you get the picture.
The alternative way of picking judges is known as merit selection.
There's a renewed campaign to bring Pennsylvania in line with the rest of the states.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is behind the push. The non-partisan citizens group has launched a Web site, www.judgesonmerit.org, and is backing legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow for merit selection of judges.
"Because judges are sworn to make impartial decisions, based strictly on facts and the existing law, we believe that making candidates engage in these political elections to reach the bench is not the best way to get fair and impartial courts staffed by the most qualified judges," the group says on its Web site.
Read more about the group's efforts at its Web site and contact your lawmaker and urge them to support legislation sponsored by Sens. Jane Earll and Anthony Williams and Reps. David Steil and Josh Shapiro.
The problem with voting for judges is two-fold. Voters have no idea who they're voting. Picking a judge is not like electing local, county or state politicians. Voters typically vote for name recognition without regard to the person's qualifications.
The second big problem is that by forcing judges to run for office, candidates have to raise enormous amounts of money. Most of that money comes from special interest groups or lawyers who will probably appear before the judge one day.
Is this the best way to encourage an honest and fair legal system? I think you get the picture.
The alternative way of picking judges is known as merit selection.
There's a renewed campaign to bring Pennsylvania in line with the rest of the states.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is behind the push. The non-partisan citizens group has launched a Web site, www.judgesonmerit.org, and is backing legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow for merit selection of judges.
"Because judges are sworn to make impartial decisions, based strictly on facts and the existing law, we believe that making candidates engage in these political elections to reach the bench is not the best way to get fair and impartial courts staffed by the most qualified judges," the group says on its Web site.
Read more about the group's efforts at its Web site and contact your lawmaker and urge them to support legislation sponsored by Sens. Jane Earll and Anthony Williams and Reps. David Steil and Josh Shapiro.
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