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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 16, 2016 01:22 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Anthony H. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Merit Selection of Appellate Judges |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce SB 44 in order to implement merit selection in the Commonwealth. Merit selection will replace Pennsylvania's current process of judicial elections for appellate judges. Currently, 23 states have a merit selection process, or a modified version of merit selection, in place. Our present system of judicial elections allows for partisan influence through campaigns, fundraising, television advertisements and robo-calls. According to a Spring 2010 poll conducted by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, 73% of participants stated that the most qualified candidates do not win judicial elections and 76% believed campaign contributions influence judicial decision-making. My legislation would require the establishment of a new independent nominating commission, charged with both screening and interviewing candidates for judicial vacancies and making recommendations to the Governor as to the most qualified candidates. The Governor would nominate judicial appointments from the commission's list of recommendations. Further, all nominees would be subject to Senate confirmation. After their initial terms, statewide judges could seek additional terms by participating in nonpartisan retention elections. This system would finally eliminate the need for prospective judges to raise money to fund campaigns, remove the influence of random factors such as ballot position, and place value on diversity as to those involved in the selection process as well as those who reach the bench. Previous co-sponsors of this legislation include Senators YUDICHAK, SCHWANK, FARNESE, WAGNER and LEACH. Please contact my office at 717-787-5970 should you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB361