Appeals court calls Iowa method to vet justices acceptable

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld a lower federal court decision that rejected a challenge to the role of lawyers on the state’s judicial nominating commissions. The lawsuit alleged that it is unconstitutional for the lawyer members to play a part in selecting judges because they are chosen by the state bar association, rather than by voters or an elected official. (Similar lawsuits filed in Alaska and Kansas have also been unsuccessful.)