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Proposal to restore partisan judicial elections draws robust debate over judicial independence and voter information
Summary
Representative Robin Lundstrom proposed an amendment to require judges to run with party labels. Supporters said voters deserve transparency about judicial philosophy; opponents — including the Arkansas Judicial Council, sitting judges and the Arkansas Bar Association — warned it would politicize the judiciary and damage public confidence.
State Representative Robin Lundstrom presented House Joint Resolution 1015 to require partisan labels on judicial candidates’ ballots (Republican, Democrat, Independent). Lundstrom framed the change as restoring transparency: “The voters deserve the truth. They deserve transparency. They elected you.”
Judges and lawyers testified strongly against the measure. Judge David McCormick, a circuit judge who spoke for the Arkansas Judicial Council, told the…
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