Getting State Supreme Court Justices

How we get judges varies from state to state.  In Wisconsin next month there will be an election that includes a State Supreme Court justice slot, one of seven.  The major candidates are incumbent David Prosser and challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg.

The Wisconsin election is being seen by some as a referendum on actions being taken by Gevernor Scott Walker and the Republican Party controlled Legislature.

Here is a link to an interview with a Wisconsin voter regarding the election.

Some doubt that elections are the way to get judges, to include getting State Supreme Court Justices. On the other hand, some in our Massachusetts General Court want to change our current process here in Massachusetts, eliminating the Governor's Council and throwing confirmation into the hands of the Legislators.  I am not sure that is any better than the current system, or, giving responsibility to the People as a whole.  Then there is the approach of the Voters voting to re-confirm Justices from time to time.  I do like our current system here in Massachusetts, where power is a little more defuse.  Concentrations of power are usually not good for the long term success of democracy.

Regards  —  Cliff