Notes from class Friday April 4th, 2008

Party in the Courts
"Judicial Selection"


4 types ( in the State for selection)
1. Merit Selection - The Missouri System, Uses of nominating commission
2. Non-Partisan Elections (2nd)
3. Partisan Elections
4. Gubernatorial Appointment - Oldest

Judicial Selection in Election
1. Nominating Commissions selected by the govenor, leaders of the legislative branch, and The Florida Bar.
2. When the vacancy occurs in the appellat courts the governor choses from a list of 3 to 6 people provided b the nominating commission.
3. Use of retention elections
4. Voters within the jurisdiction of trial courts and county courts currently have thee option of merit slection or non partisan elections.
( How long are the terms for Florida judges? 6 years)
( Retention elections are for the top courts, What's the age limit? 70)


Party in the Courts
Part II

- The Partisanship of the Apponting President best productive voting behavior of Federal Judges



Evidence of party in the Judiciary
- 90% of appointmens, today, are based on Partisanship
- Diminished role of "Senatorial Courtesy"
( Senatorial Courtesy- If there is a Vacancy in the state, the Senior Senator from the state would tell the President who to pick)
- Bush v. Gore
- When the courts have been involved in redistricting the lives have been equally partisan-based.