The St. Paul Pioneer Press wades into the judicial selection debate with an editorial endorsing the replacement of democratic elections for judges with so-called “merit selection” combined with uncontested retention elections.
Unlike Minnesota’s Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, the Pioneer Press at least had the tact not to question “the insight and sophistication” of Minnesota voters, but […]

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson came out for scrapping democratic elections for judges and endorsed a “merit selection” system for the state. No surprise there – a top lawyer thinks lawyers should control who sits on the bench.
But unlike most proponents of secret selection, Chief Justice Magnuson deserves credit for his refreshing […]

The special-interest apologists who argue for the “merit-selection” of judges often pose as promoters of independence, fair-mindedness and objectivity. Frequently, a friendly journalist takes their bait, not noticing the hook stuck in his mouth.
The latest such journalist is Nathan Bowe of the Detroit Lakes Tribune (MN) in his coverage of a proposal by the Minnesota […]

Minnesota Lawyer Blog reports that new Minnesota Chief Justice Eric Magnuson will reveal his position on whether he supports ending democratic judicial elections for judges and going to a “merit” selection system. Former Governor Al Quie, with the support of the Minnesota State Bar Association and former Chief Justice Russell Anderson, has been pushing the […]

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was in Minnesota recently, repeating her assertion that appointed judges are superior to elected judges.
Six years ago, O’Connor opposed a Supreme Court decision that struck down a Minnesota rule that barred candidates from explaining their judicial philosophies to voters. (Republican Party of Minn. vs. White) O’Connor […]

Minnesota Lawyer Blog has a great link to a letter by four sitting Minnesota district court judges opposing a merit selection/retention election system. Money quote:
“The proposed retention-election system puts both the selection and retention of sitting judges in the hands of a very small, elite group, appointed by only two people – the governor and the chief […]

A proposed amendment to strip Minnesota citizens of their constitutional right to vote for state judges is “dead” – at least for now – according to MinnPost.com.
The Minnesota constitution declares that state judges “shall be elected by the voters.” Yet some of those occupying Minnesota’s legal establishment dislike the inconvenient fact that judges have […]