Although this
November’s election is an off-year
vote, some important issues will appear on Ohio ballots, including several
judicial seats.
Former U.S. Supreme
Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, among others, argues
against electing judges, claiming that such elections “create the impression, rightly or wrongly, that
judges are accountable to money and special interests, not the law.”
That argument has not swayed the state of
Ohio. Our Supreme Court Chief Justice
Maureen O’Connor has, however, argued for reforming the judicial election
process. As the Columbus
Dispatch explains, her ideas include increasing qualifications for judges
and making the primaries nonpartisan. Justice O’Connor’s complete proposal is
presented here.
If you’re curious about arguments in favor of judicial
election, check out our title, In Defense of Judicial
Elections.