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Issue Briefs

Judicial Selection and Retention (18-12)

Subject
Courts & Judicial
Published
09/18/2018

The Colorado Constitution allows voters to decide whether justices and judges stay on the bench after they have been appointed and have had time to establish a judicial record by serving an initial term.  Some form of this process, otherwise known as the merit selection and retention of justices and judges, is used in the majority of states. The intent is to emphasize judicial qualifications over political or social connections.

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