MichiganRadio

Should Judges Be Elected or Appointed? DENVER, CO (Associated Press) -
An old debate about whether judges should be elected or appointed is heating up again.

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and several state Supreme Court justices are planning a nationwide push for next year's legislative sessions to do away with elected judges.

Nevada already has a proposal before voters on 2010 ballots.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled that elected judges must step aside if campaign donations are likely to create the perception of bias. A judicial think tank at the University of Denver has assembled a group of prominent judges, including O'Connor, to push for the abolition of directly elected judges.

Currently, 33 states elect their judges. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press