The Best Way to Select State Court Judges
Thomas, Curtis; Wilson, Sven
Abstract
Due to the spending increase in campaigns for state court judges and to the controversial positions taken by state court judges on high-profile issues, research has increased into the methods state use to select their judges. This poster highlights research into the best method for selecting state court judges. By comparing the different methods for selecting state court judges currently in use according to goals considered to be relevant to this issue, I conclude that the best method for selecting state court judges is a combination of appointment for a state's highest court judges and non-partisan elections for a state's lower court judges, enhanced by a federal solution requiring recusal in cases involving large campaign donors.