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A judge’s job is to faithfully interpret the laws as written and not impose judicial policy preferences. To do that successfully, every judge must have the aptitude and character commensurate with judging — that means every judge should combine education, experience, intellectual rigor, understanding of the law, appropriate temperament, compassion, and commitment to justice. Anyone whose job is to select a judge, whether elected official, board member, or voter, should reject judges who do not meet these basic standards.
Judicial systems are critically important in securing limited government, protecting equal rights, and upholding human dignity. As such, all citizens should care about the judges we have and the system we use to select them. This report examines what makes a good judge and what we can do ton ensure that we pick good judges.
AFP opposes judicial selection commissions; they insulate courts from political accountability, reduce legitimacy , and skew court ideology to the left-of-center lawyers who pick the judges, and away from the citizens. This testimony is in support of a ballot measure that would eliminate the state’s judicial selection commission and give the people of Kansas a voice in picking their judges.
Political and issue ads serve a core role in a national dialogue, connecting the public with information about candidates for office or about issues that are of public importance: Americans have a ‘profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open.’
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar The Honorable Deb Fischer Chair, Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member, Senate Rules Committee United States Senate United States Senate 305 Russell Senate Office Building 305 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Re: AI and Elections Legislation (S. 2770, S. 3875, S. 3897) Dear Chair Klobuchar, Ranking Member […]
