Democratic Elections “Under Assault” In PA
June 18, 2010
Nathan Shrader of pa2010.com summarizes Pennsylvania voter attitudes regarding the effort in that state to, in Shrader’s words, “eliminat[e] the ability of Pennsylvania voters to choose their judges.”
Shrader lists the following stats demonstrating overwhelming voter opposition to so-called “merit” selection:
- A poll commissioned by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts found that 75 percent of Pennsylvanians feel that “merit” selection could make the judiciary more political than it is today. Almost 70 percent believe that judicial selection takes power from the public and places it in the hands of “politicians and trial lawyers.”
- A Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy poll in September 2009 found that 72 percent of Pennsylvanians favored continuing to elect their Supreme Court judges while just 21 percent would support a nominating commission.
- An Annenberg Public Policy Center poll conducted nationally in 2006 found that voters across the nation favored election over selection, as “nearly 65 percent of Americans want to elect those who sit on the bench,” according to their results.
Shrader believes “the big wigs and moneyed interests are lining up to rob the people of their voice in determining those who may one day sit in judgment of us, our families, or our rights.” That’s right: When insiders choose, the people lose.