Legislative Panels in Kansas Approve Changes to Judicial Selection Process

This week the judiciary committee in both the house of representatives and the senate approved measures that would alter the process for choosing the state’s appellate judges. The proposed constitutional amendment, which would eliminate the judicial nominating commission and require senate confirmation of appointments, must be approved by a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and then by the voters to take effect. According to a recent poll by Justice at Stake, 61 percent of Kansans oppose the proposal.