Litigation

New Life in MN Legislature for Retention Election Bill

By Peter Hardin

There is new life in the Minnesota legislature for a proposal to reform the way voters decide whether to retain a sitting judge.

A proposed constitutional amendment would replace contested elections to decide on a sitting judge’s future with up-or-down retention elections. It also would set up a non-partisan commission to evaluate judges near the ends of their terms.

A bill to put the matter before voters in November was withdrawn by its House sponsor when it appeared doomed in committee. But House leaders have assigned the measure to a different committee where its prospects are brighter, according to an article in the Star Tribune.

Backers contend the change would insulate judicial elections from partisan politics, and they fear special-interest groups have leeway for more campaign spending under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

To learn more about the Minnesota proposal, check out Gavel Grab. A Justice at Stake issues page has more information about appointment and retention systems.

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 07, 2010 (boomark / email).