Nevada Judicial Appointment Amendment (2010)
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The Nevada Judicial Appointment Amendment will be on the November 2010 ballot in Nevada. The proposed legislatively-referred constitutional amendment calls for the creation of a selection panel that would recommend candidates to the governor for appointment. After the judges' first term, voters will decide whether to allow the appointed judges to retain their positions. They would have to garner approximately 55% of the vote to stay in office.[1]
Background
The constitutional amendment developed after Judge Elizabeth Halverson was permanently removed from the bench in 2008. She was suspended in 2007. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline found her guilty of sleeping during hearings, making improper contact with jurors, mistreating her staff, improperly hiring two bodyguards and making improper and misleading statements to the press.[2]
Supporters
Amendment supporters argue that the appointment process would result in more qualified judges and remove the influence of campaign money. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor sent Nevada officials a letter in support of the proposal. She wrote, “Citizens can be confident that appointed judges are insulated from special interests who would seek to buy justice through campaign donations.”
Opponents
Opponents, on the other hand, said that the amendment removes voting rights and places the decision only in the hands of a few - the selection panel.[1] “I’m against anything that alters the voters’ rights to pick judges. Judges should be held as accountable as any other public official,” said Republican political consultant Sig Rogich. The Nevada Eagle Forum also opposes the change.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Las Vegas Sun,"Lawmakers pave way for vote on appointing judges," June 6, 2009
- ↑ Las Vegas Sun,"Judge Elizabeth Halverson permanently removed from bench," November 17, 2008
- ↑ Las Vegas Sun,"Proposal to appoint judges seen as hot issue," July 7, 2009
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