Litigation

NV Newspaper Endorses Reform

By Peter Hardin

The Las Vegas Sun, changing its tone, has recommended a “yes” vote in November on a ballot initiative for merit-based selection of Nevada judges. An editorial declared:

“The judiciary is the last bastion of hope for the people against a tyrannical government, and we owe it to ourselves to get the best people on the bench.

“We previously have opposed plans to change the way we currently elect judges because we believe in the wisdom of the voters. But judicial races haven?t received enough attention and there?s rarely enough information for a voter to choose wisely. No system is perfect, but this question offers a better way to pick judges. The Sun recommends yes on Question 1.”

If voters support amending Nevada?s constitution, the state would scrap elections of Supreme Court justices and District Court judges when a vacancy occurs, and replace elections with what is widely called the Missouri Plan.

The proposal envisions a Commission on Judicial Selection making recommendations to the governor, who would in turn fill a vacancy based on candidate?s qualifications. At the next general election, the judge would face voters in an up-or-down retention election (see Gavel Grab).

Full post as published by The Gavel on October 19, 2010 (boomark / email).