Senate vote keeps judicial selection proposal alive for 2009

CARSON CITY — A proposed amendment to the state constitution that would change the judicial selection process from competitive elections to appointment and retention of district judges and Supreme Court justices won final approval from the 2007 Legislature on Wednesday.

Senate Joint Resolution 2, which has a long road ahead before voters can weigh in, is being sought by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

The Senate agreed with changes made to the measure by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, keeping it alive for consideration again in the 2009 legislative session. If the measure is approved in 2009, it would go to the ballot in 2010.

The resolution would allow voters to adopt a so-called “Missouri Plan” system of appointing district judges and Supreme Court justices. Currently in Nevada, judges and justices run in open elections where opponents might also run, creating the need to raise campaign funds.

The new process would see sitting district court judges and justices at the time of voter approval go on the ballot only for retention or not. Vacancies would be filled by a selection committee with appointment by the governor.