2 senators want to end Supreme Court elections

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A couple of veteran state senators think the time has come to end Supreme Court elections.

Republican Sen. Dave Schultz of Richland Center and Democratic Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville are co-sponsoring legislation that would replace the elections with a merit-based selection program.

The move would require a constitutional amendment, which would need to pass two consecutive legislative sessions before it’s sent to voters. The proposal would create a judicial selection commission established by the Legislature. The commission would recommend five candidates to the governor who would make an appointment subject to the Senate’s consent.

The senators plan to introduce their bill in September. The State Journal said 28 other states have moved judicial selections away from the influence of campaign money and partisanship.

Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj