SJR 42

The constitution provides for the election of justices of the supreme court for

ten-year terms, and the election of appeals court judges for six-year terms and

establishes a method of filling vacancies by appointment.

This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2011 legislature on first

consideration, provides that the governor will appoint, with the advice and consent

of the senate, justices of the supreme court for ten-year terms, and appeals judges

to the court of appeals for six-year terms. For appointees to each court, the governor

will choose from lists of five recommendations created by a nonpartisan judicial

selection commission established by the legislature.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive

legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.