Electing judges undermines trust in the judiciary

 PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER editorial: …In poll after poll, including one taken last year, citizens say that they suspect campaign contributions affect judges’ decisions…

They’re taking money from lawyers and corporate, union, and other special interests that are likely to have a stake in cases that could appear before their courts.

There is a better way: It’s the merit-based appointment of appellate judges, as it is done in New Jersey and numerous other states…   (more)