Judicial Selection in the States
W.Va. getting attention for election funding bill
West Virginia :: March 8, 2010 :: Associated Press
Several national groups are taking sides on legislation, approved Monday in the state Senate, that would offer public funds to future candidates for West Virginia's...
Chief justice warns: 'Storm is coming' in electing state judges
Minnesota :: March 4, 2010 :: Pioneer Press
If Minnesotans want to prevent special interests from buying seats on the state's courts, they must overhaul the way they select judges, Chief Justice Eric...
The Republican primaries aren t quite over yet, and one of the candidates in the only statewide race still undecided is crediting Washington County with...
In recent years, proposals have been introduced by legislators, governors, courts, and citizens' groups in nearly every state to limit the role of politics in the selection of state judges.
The extent of these activities underscores the recognition that an independent judiciary is essential to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in the court system.
The American Judicature Society, through funding from the Open Society Institute, has contributed to these efforts by compiling comprehensive information on judicial selection processes in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Topics covered include methods of selecting, retaining, and removing of judges; successful and unsuccessful reform efforts; the roles of parties, interest groups, and professional organizations in selecting judges; and the diversity of the bench.
- To view state-specific information, select a state from the drop-down menu in the upper right or from the map below.
- To view practices among states, select a topic on the left.