Carrington, Paul D. “Judicial Independence and Democratic Accountability in Highest State Courts,” 61 Law & Contemp Probs. 79 (1998).

December 20, 2011

This article argues that judicial elections, in the manner they are currently conducted, involve risks to public confidence in state high courts; the author proposes measures to reduce such risks, including disqualification rules, expenditure limits, and extended term limits.

  • 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.