Bar Association proposes changes to judicial selection in North Carolina

May 3, 2011

North Carolina: Last week, North Carolina's Senate Judiciary Committee heard opinions regarding a proposed change to the state's method of judicial selection. The North Carolina Bar Association is sponsoring a bill to create a new judicial nomination panel. The purpose of this panel is to screen nominees for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Courts. The panel would select two nominees to fill a vacancy, and forward those selections to the governor, who would choose one to serve on a court until the next election. In the next election, both nominees would compete and the winner would serve a full term. After that first term, the judge would only run for retention, instead of participating in a nonpartisan election.

In order for this to become reality, a constitutional amendment would need to be approved by voters. As with every new idea, the plan has supporters and critics. Those in favor of the plan contend that it allows for citizen involvement while providing qualified candidates. Opponents of the idea fear that it limits the public's choices.