Referendum gives Arizona governor more power to pick judges, splits legal sector

While the state bar association supports Proposition 115, which goes before voters in November, other members of the legal community oppose its passage. Among other changes, the measure would increase the number of nominees from which the governor makes judicial appointments and give the governor greater control over the membership of the commission that makes the nominations. The state bar views the proposal as a compromise to preserve the merit selection system, with moving to contested elections as a possible alternative, while opponents believe it will “destroy” what is viewed nationwide as a model process.