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Commission to interview all 15 judicial applicants; 30-minute slots set for June 9–10
Summary
The commission voted to interview all 15 applicants in 30-minute slots across two days. Staff will randomly assign investigators, conduct background checks including social media reviews, and embed executive sessions to review sensitive records. Public comments by letter are accepted up to one week before interviews.
The commission agreed to interview all 15 applicants for judicial vacancies and set 30-minute interview slots across two days, with interviews scheduled for June 9 and June 10, 2010.
The decision matters because the commission will recommend three names to the governor; commissioners said they want thorough interviews and background checks to inform that recommendation.
Commission members voted that every applicant who meets qualifications will be interviewed and that interviews should be 30 minutes each. Diane said, "I didn't imagine interviewing anybody for less than 30 minutes for something of this importance," explaining her view that applicants "have a right to be heard." The motion passed without recorded opposition.
Staff and commissioners outlined follow-up steps: the disciplinary administrator will run formal background checks on each applicant, and investigators will review applicants' social media and appellate court histories. Investigations will be assigned randomly to commissioner teams (divided by congressional district where possible), with a lead investigator and a backup for each candidate. Commissioners said the secretary will randomly assign investigations and that assignments would be issued the same week so work can begin immediately.
To shorten deliberations after interviews, the commission plans to embed executive sessions within the interview schedule to review confidential material such as financial disclosures and any criminal-history reports. Commissioners stated those executive sessions are intended to let reviewers consider sensitive background information in smaller batches rather than in a single large session.
The commission discussed the voting procedure to pare candidates from 15 to three names for the governor. Members were asked to review a previously used stepwise voting method that uses numbered ballots and incremental cuts; the office said ballots and vote records will be available under CORA (the public records law) upon request, though individual vote-to-voter links will not be announced in the public meeting.
Logistics discussed included accommodations and travel: commissioners were told they should make individual hotel reservations at the Cyrus Hotel in Topeka at the government rate if they wish, and the commission will cover necessary transportation, lodging and meals. The staff also said they can arrange an optional dinner the night before the interviews for commissioners to meet informally.
The commission set procedures for public input and document handling: members of the public may submit letters about candidates up to one week before interviews; submitted materials and recommendation letters will be uploaded to a shared drive for commissioner access. The application files will contain confidential material that is not part of the public packet.
No final candidate recommendations were made at this meeting. Commissioners directed staff to issue investigator assignments and to finalize the interview schedule (with the option to balance the two days as 10 and 5 or 12 and 3, depending on timing). Staff said they will provide investigation guidelines and that commissioners may contact staff with questions as materials are uploaded.
The commission adjourned after confirming those directions and that the office will notify commissioners when assignments and supporting documents are available.
