JUDICIAL ELECTION REFORM

In Texas judges are selected by means of a partisan election system. Notwithstanding all drawbacks in the Texas system of selecting judges, I still believe the Texas system is preferable to a gubernatorial appointment system or the Missouri Plan. We know the system is not perfect. Reform is always in need.

I prefer the Texas system, (1) because the judges and justices must be held accountable to the people. Judges should be subject to the people's scrutiny. (2) It is because judicial independence is better achieved in an election system than by an appointment system.

(3) It is because a partisan election system gives a better barometer for the voters to make an informed decision. Few voters are familiar with judicial candidates, but a candidate's party label could give some clues as to what kind of judicial philosophy the candidate espouses or what kind of judge the candidate would make after getting elected. (4) In conclusion, the Texas system is best suited for securing a people's judge. 

The worst drawback of the Texas system is that the candidates are forced to raise campaign funds to reach out to the voters. If too much money is involved, it will defeat the purpose of an election, making it unfair and inappropriate and giving an undue advantage to the money. By enacting restrictive laws, the state has exerted efforts to eliminate appearances of impropriety and to curb the unlimited growth of the campaign expenses. 

I do believe, however, the restrictions do not go far enough. No lawyer nor law firm should be allowed to make a contribution to a judicial candidate in more than a token amount, perhaps $200. Anyone can see what kind of conflict there exists if a lawyer or law firm is allowed to make a judicial contribution in more than a token amount. The amount of a non-lawyer contribution to a judicial candidate should be limited to $2,000. 

A people's judge must not give a burden to the people. Judges must avoide even an appearance of impropriety in money matters. The system must not allow the moneyed class to exert unfair and undue influence in an election.

 [Paid for by Don B. Chae for Justice Campaign, Young Kim, Treasurer]