Oregon Public Broadcasting

New research at Washington State University shows voters would support a change in the way judges are selected in Washington. All three Northwest states have a system that critics say gives a free pass to most incumbent judges. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

Two WSU professors say while people like the idea of electing judges, they aren’t always confident about whom they choose.

Professors David Brody and Nick Lovrich sent a survey to about four thousand registered voters in Washington. Brody says 70-percent wanted some kind of screening process.

David Brody: “The lack of information about judicial candidates is a primary reason as to -- A. why they don’t vote and B. why they’re not satisfied with their vote.”

Rather than the current system of electing judges, Brody asked if voters would prefer that judicial candidates be interviewed and screened by nonpartisan committees and then picked by the governor.

Brody says 60-percent of Washington’s current judges were appointed. And then once they’re on the bench, it’s hard to vote them out.

He says, this year, 84-percent of Washington judges are running unopposed.

Brody hopes his study will convince the Washington Supreme Court to review how judges are picked.