Voters have the chance to influence the future of the Missouri Supreme Court

The way that assisted appointments typically work is that a nonpartisan commission reviews candidates for state judgeships and creates a list of potential nominees based on merit. The governor fills vacancies on the bench by choosing from this predetermined list. In such a system, the governor’s pick does not usually need to be confirmed by the state legislature because the pick has already been vetted by the nonpartisan commission.

For retention elections, judges face no opponent and are listed on the ballot without political party designation. Voters are simply asked whether an incumbent judge should remain in office, which provides an opportunity to oust judges who make unpopular decisions.

This November, Missourians will vote on whether or not to retain two Missouri Supreme Court judges — both of whom have recently made decisions that are popular or unpopular depending upon how you feel about abortion rights.

Amendment 3, if approved by voters, will legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to birth control. At present, abortion is illegal in Missouri with only limited exceptions for certain medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for rape or incest......

Of the three judges that voted to remove it from the ballot, two will face retention elections in November. Kelly Broniec and Ginger Gooch were both appointed by Gov. Mike Parson. If either or both of them are retained, they will go on to serve a twelve-year term. If either or both lose their retention election, their current term will expire on Dec. 31.



https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/18/voters-have-the-chance-to-influence-the-future-of-the-missouri-supreme-court/