judgesonmerit.org

Tim Kiefer, an unsuccessful candidate for the Wisconsin General Assembly, has published an op-ed in the Capital Times explaining why he supports reforming Wisconsin’s judicial selection process and implementing a Merit Selection system for the state Supreme Court.  Kiefer sums up his understanding of Merit Selection: “The basic philosophy is this: Select justices based on merit, and then hold the justices accountable in elections based on performance.”

Kiefer goes on to set the record straight about how Merit Selection works and what it accomplishes.  He  notes that the process focuses on getting qualified jurists on the bench:  “[S]afeguards would ensure the integrity of the process and protect it from being hijacked by an unqualified nominee with political connections.”

Under his proposal, the Merit Selection system would be used only for the Supreme Court, and it includes a retention component, so “there would still be regular Supreme Court elections, and Supreme Court justices would still be held accountable by all the voters of Wisconsin.” He also explains the role nonlawyers will play on the nominating commission, further cementing public involvement in the judicial selection process.

Kiefer’s piece concludes with an appeal that Wisconsin join the other states who have found that Merit Selection is a better way to select high court judges.  This is a must read piece for those who support judicial selection reform, and we hope Pennsylvania will also join those other states and implement a Merit Selection system for the appellate courts.

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