On April 20, the North Carolina House passed HB 8 by a vote of 69-48. It converts elections for Justice of the Supreme Court, and Judges on State Appeals Courts, from non-partisan elections to partisan elections. These judicial elections had been partisan in the past, but were converted to non-partisan elections effective with the 2004 election.
Other states with partisan judicial races for State Supreme Court are Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Michigan and Ohio political parties do nominate judicial candidates, but the ballot omits party labels. West Virginia had partisan elections for those offices, but this year’s legislature converted them to non-partisan elections.
More robot party hacks to keep the black Donkeys in NC under control ???
NO non-partisan *justice* — NO peace ???
The non-partisan character of the judicial races has always been understood as cosmetic only. The two main parties have always produced lists of endorsed candidates, and the news media publish the party registration of the candidates. Most people I know, including myself, prefer partisan races, because judicial candidates cannot campaign on issues. The party labels tell us SOMETHING about the candidates, even if not much.
I agree with Chris Cole. Voters do not even have that much choice in many states – like here in California – where the Governor just appoints them (subject to State Senate confirmation). When a Judge’s term is up they then go on the ballot with voters getting to cast a “Yes” or “No” vote on their continuing in office. This of course gives power to only lawyers and “robot party hacks.”