Champagne, Anthony, and Greg Thielemann. “Awareness of Trial Court Judges,” 74 Judicature 271 (1991). (HeinOnline)

December 20, 2011

This article discusses the 1976 Texas Supreme Court election, in which voters chose a candidate who claimed that he took his instructions from God over an established judge with bar association endorsements, and argues that voter ignorance about judges has negative consequences for judicial accountability.

  • Judicial Election

    Judges are elected by popular vote.
  • Democratic Appointment

    Judges are appointed directly by a democratic body, or appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of some democratic body.