Task Force Recommends Commissions and Elections to Select Judges

The April 2008 monthly journal of the Washington Bar Association features a report on the Bar Association Judicial Selection Task Force on the question of whether judges are better elected or appointed using a commission process.

The citizen commission form of selection was favored by seven members of the Task Force, who concluded that a commission selection method “will enhance the public’s ability to control the quality of the state judiciary. Instead of having most judges appointed by the governor, they will instead be selected by members of the public serving on the commissions.”

A minority of five members favored retaining elections and improving elections by placing more and better information about the candidates in the general election and the primary. The minority report concludes “A system perceived to be run by politicians and people in the know should not replace the wisdom of Washington voters.”

None of the reports suggested retaining or expanding a system of governor appointments. The governor does not use a commission method for selection. It was expressed that the system is enhanced if political factors are reduced and the role of the nonlawyer, non-public official citizen is increased.

I would be pleased to talk to you about my experience with the governor’s appointment process, though I have little to say about political process used by the governor’s staff because it is not something that they make available to the public.

I agree that the election process requires good information to voters. For that reason, I have posted on my website my answers to the governor’s questionnaire, and other information. I encourage voters to go to my website www.rgaylord.org and my blog at www.randallgaylord.blogspot.com and talk to people you know and trust.

To read the Bar Association majority report click here: http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/apr08bridges+etc.htm

To read the Bar Association minority report click here: http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/apr08anderson.htm

For other stories on this Bar Association Task Force read the entire April Edition:

http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/april08.htm