Materials on Judicial Elections
The law and practice relating to the election of state court judges has become a topic of serious concern around the country because of a dramatic increase in partisan politics in judicial elections. Judicial races are becoming much more expensive than in the recent past, and campaigning has become increasingly harsh and political. The Judicial Administration Bureau has been involved in discussions at the highest levels of California state government about proposals to reform and improve the election of California's judges. The Bureau has published the following background materials on the subject:
"Judicial Elections: Practices and Trends," by J. Clark Kelso (3/99) - .pdf
"What to do About Judicial Elections," Testimony for the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Judicial Independence and Accountability, by J. Clark Kelso (March 1999)- .pdf
"Merit Selection of California Judges," by Deborah Kiley (March 1999)- .pdf