Voting for Judges?

kddani · #1 10-31-2003, 08:00 AM

Some states have an appointed system like the federal judicial systems. Others, such as mine, have an election process.

Should judges be elected, thus having to campaign, etc. or should they be appointed? There's pluses and minuses to both sides.

If you are in a state that elects them, please try to find out some information about the different candidates before voting. I never paid attention before, but last night I attended a debate between the two candidates for PA supreme court and it really made me realize some things.

Judges affect you more on a daily basis that will ever realized. Their decisions shape and interpret the law, and they have immediate impact. Whereas it takes a senator or congress person a very long time to ever get a bill passed, judges make decisions every day that affect your lives.

All the hot button issues are ultimately decided by judges: abortion rights, same sex marriages, etc. etc.

So I guess this just a general reminder to be an informed voter, and also wonder the opinions as to whether judges should be elected or appointed?

AlphaSigOU · #2 10-31-2003, 10:44 AM

Texas is another state that elects its judges. Before she became a TV personality, Catherine Crier was an elected district court judge in Texas.

madmax · #3 11-03-2003, 07:53 PM

I'm not sure if electing judges is good or bad. I think it stupid that they can be elected without a law degree. The same thing is true with coroners. What happens if a plumber gets elected coroner or judge?
One M.E. in my area didn't have a mecical degree. He used to be a funeral director.

cashmoney · #4 11-03-2003, 08:13 PM

I'm all for electing Judges. In my home county they do that. I think its the only way to go. The only downside to it all is that politics and friends in the right places can often determine who wins the seat. However, thats not to say the people can't change things. Personally, I'd hate to to see a democratic govenor for 2 terms appoint a bunch of Judges who don't represent me or my views.

honeychile · #5 11-03-2003, 09:51 PM

I think you can make a good case for either side of this issue.

If you elect them, it's a popularity contest, because the vast majority of voters won't bother to determine the real issues.

If you allow them to be appointed, you're at the mercy of the person who appoints them.

I just know that there's no way in hell I'll vote for the candidate who has left messages on my phone every day for the past two weeks!!!

EagleChick19 · #6 11-04-2003, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kddani
Some states have an appointed system like the federal judicial systems. Others, such as mine, have an election process.

Should judges be elected, thus having to campaign, etc. or should they be appointed? There's pluses and minuses to both sides.

If you are in a state that elects them, please try to find out some information about the different candidates before voting. I never paid attention before, but last night I attended a debate between the two candidates for PA supreme court and it really made me realize some things.

Judges affect you more on a daily basis that will ever realized. Their decisions shape and interpret the law, and they have immediate impact. Whereas it takes a senator or congress person a very long time to ever get a bill passed, judges make decisions every day that affect your lives.

All the hot button issues are ultimately decided by judges: abortion rights, same sex marriages, etc. etc.

So I guess this just a general reminder to be an informed voter, and also wonder the opinions as to whether judges should be elected or appointed?

Dani, I actually saw that debate. PCN got a live feed from Pittsburgh. After that debate, I'm voting for Judge Orie Melvin for the Supreme Court. On the Superior Court, I'm still not sure yet.

Peaches-n-Cream · #7 11-04-2003, 01:46 AM

My uncle is an elected judge. He doesn't mind the process. I think that fact that he has never lost an election could be the reason.

Optimist Prime · #8 11-04-2003, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax
I'm not sure if electing judges is good or bad. I think it stupid that they can be elected without a law degree. The same thing is true with coroners. What happens if a plumber gets elected coroner or judge?
One M.E. in my area didn't have a mecical degree. He used to be a funeral director.

He should have ran for coroner. He has the creditials.

Optimist Prime · #9 11-04-2003, 11:21 AM

I think that judges should be elected but also, no everyone should be allowed to vote. YOu should have to pass some kind of civics class or something to vote.

MuAZD · #10 11-04-2003, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EagleChick19
Dani, I actually saw that debate. PCN got a live feed from Pittsburgh. After that debate, I'm voting for Judge Orie Melvin for the Supreme Court. On the Superior Court, I'm still not sure yet.

Is this the women with six kids? My dad and I had to laugh at the commercials they have for her. When did she get the time to raise six kids and become a judge at the same time

She seems like a good candidate though, so I'll probably vote for her.

lifesaver · #11 11-04-2003, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
I think that judges should be elected but also, no everyone should be allowed to vote. YOu should have to pass some kind of civics class or something to vote.

I have openly advocated the bringing back of Poll Tests. NOT as a form of segregation, but to keep the stupid people from voting. And you'd have to make it real simple, Question1). How many US Senators does your state have. Question2) Name on of them.

Thats it. If you cant get that, you go home, study and can answer again correctly, then you get to vote.

EagleChick19 · #12 11-04-2003, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MuAZD
Is this the women with six kids? My dad and I had to laugh at the commercials they have for her. When did she get the time to raise six kids and become a judge at the same time She seems like a good candidate though, so I'll probably vote for her.

Kelly, Orie Melvin is the one with six kids. I also saw that ad, and I'll admit it was funny. But, since Baer didn't put one up, it kinda of narrowed it down for me. I think that the ad was trying to state that since she was a mother (and make tough decisions), she would make a great judge. And I'll admit I did vote for Orie Melvin.

madmax · #13 11-04-2003, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lifesaver
I have openly advocated the bringing back of Poll Tests. NOT as a form of segregation, but to keep the stupid people from voting. And you'd have to make it real simple, Question1). How many US Senators does your state have. Question2) Name on of them.

Thats it. If you cant get that, you go home, study and can answer again correctly, then you get to vote.

That wouldn't be fair to the Democrats. Most of them wouldn't be eligible to vote.

Peaches-n-Cream · #14 11-04-2003, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax
That wouldn't be fair to the Democrats. Most of them wouldn't be eligible to vote.

You really didn't need to take a shot at Democrats.

MuAZD · #15 11-05-2003, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EagleChick19
Kelly, Orie Melvin is the one with six kids. I also saw that ad, and I'll admit it was funny. But, since Baer didn't put one up, it kinda of narrowed it down for me. I think that the ad was trying to state that since she was a mother (and make tough decisions), she would make a great judge. And I'll admit I did vote for Orie Melvin.

I voted for her too, but I just read on pennlive.com that she lost to Baer 55% to 45%. Also for anyone interested, John Street was reelected as Philadelphia mayor. Guess the FBI bug didn't bother anybody there.